Book Description

Abstract This study focuses on the use of the blended learning approach in the Saudi EFL context, investigating the advantages and disadvantages of its application in Saudi Electronic University, against a more conventional approach used at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. This study also investigates perceptions of students concerning this particular approach. The opinions of instructors are also surveyed in order to identify the challenges and obstacles that they have found in employing it. The study also examines possible differences in performance by comparing five colleges where the approach has been used. For this purpose, 475 students and 12 instructors participated in this study who were studying or working in either SEU or Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University during the first semester of the academic year 1439/1440 from Riyadh female campus. The findings indicated that the students’ results are better using the blended learning approach in their listening performance, also there is a statistically significant difference in the students’ satisfaction in the listening course between the conventional method which is used at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University and the blended learning approach at Saudi Electronic University in favor of blended learning approach at the SEU, and there is a strongly statistically significant difference in students’listening performance between colleges in favour of college of science and theoretical studies. Finally, the study suggests that further research should be conducted on the use BL in teaching other language skills such as, reading, speaking and writing. Key words: Blended learning, listening performance, Saudi Electronic University