The Use Of The Internet Is ESL/Writing Classroom : A Case Study

The purpose of this case study is to explore the possibilities of using the lnternet in ESL writing classroom, particularly among UiTM Arau students.
This qualitative study explores the benefits and limitations of teaching university-level English as a Second Language (ESL) online, via the Internet. Although some students may improve their writing, writing
improvement is not the focus of the study. Both the technical and pedagogical aspects of facilitating a virtual ESL writing classroom are examined. The findings of this study were (gathered using the triangulation
method of observing the students using the lnternet to learn writing as well as interviewing both the students and lecturers. Ten English lecturers at UiTM Arau were interviewed. Besides the lecturers, eight students were
randomly chosen. From the observations, the interviews of both the lecturers and the students, it was found that generally the subjects agreed that the lnternet could be used in ESL writing classroom. However, most of them cited the problems of infrastructure, materials on the lnternet as well as the syllabus. This case study allows the university to prepare itself before embarking into the use of the lnternet in ESL writing classroom. This study
also allows the lecturers to be aware of the limitations of using the lnternet in ESL writing classroom.