Investigating the E-Learning Needs of ESL Learners in Digital Learning Platforms

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify students’ e-learning needs and to determine gaps in the existing e-learning platforms used for learning English as a second language (ESL) at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kota Kinabalu and UiTM Kuala Pilah. The issue addressed in this research is that although e-learning platforms have become an integral component of language instruction, many students experience reduced engagement due to a lack of interactive and communicative learning features. The objectives of this study were to identify the e-learning features that students perceive as most useful for language learning and to examine students’ perceptions of the advantages of using digital platforms to support ESL learning. A needs analysis survey was administered online to 198 respondents across various academic programmes at both campuses. The survey explored students’ experiences with current platforms, focusing on areas such as interactivity, engagement, and perceived advantages of online learning. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarise students’ responses and determine common patterns in their needs and preferences. The findings highlighted that students expressed stronger preferences for platforms that incorporate interactive elements such as real-time feedback, multimedia learning, collaboration, and task-based activities. The analysis also indicated that students would benefit more from an environment that provides ample opportunities to practise the language and engage with interactive lessons. These results suggest the importance of enhancing e-learning systems with more dynamic, participatory, and communicative features to better support learner engagement and improve ESL learning outcomes.