IMPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER-AIDED LEARNING IN ELT FOR SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS AND TEACHERS DURING COVID-19
Purpose of the study: The primary purpose of this research study was to get detailed insights about numerous aspects of the online ELT for second language learners and teachers in Faisalabad. Methodology: Our study was based on an online survey. Respondents were students and teachers of the English department from different universities in Faisalabad. Data was collected and analyzed to find answers to our research questions. Other characteristics like focus, comfort, understanding, communication, and expense pinpoint the differences between online and physical ELT methods. Main Findings: We found that students and teachers most commonly faced internet connectivity and audio-visual issues. The overall opinion of students about teachers was encouraging. However, teachers claimed that students were not that much serious in online classes. Online ELT has improved the technical capabilities of respondents, and it has made them proficient in using smartphones, online storage, word processing, and computer troubleshooting. Faculty respondents showed interest in learning new tools despite the burden faced and psychological fears. Finally, social media and solution-oriented discussion forums can prove effective and efficient in addressing future pandemic outbreaks. Applications of this study: This study provided us with valuable insights that can help design an effective online educational framework for efficient and result-oriented English language learning. Novelty/Originality of this study: Our study explored faculty and students' psychological and technological readiness at postgraduate institutes to cope with future pandemics.