Comparing a large- and small-scale online language course: An examination of teacher and learner perceptions

This study explored how class size affects the quality of online language teaching and learning. Administrators and departments often make decisions about class size based on fiscal and budgetary constraints rather than on best practices in blended and/or online learning. The present study compared the experiences of instructors and students in two second semester online Spanish language courses. There were 125 students enrolled in the large-scale class and 25 students enrolled in the small-scale class. Each class had one instructor and no teaching assistants. Two instruments were used to collect data, a Teacher Questionnaire and an anonymous Student Questionnaire. The results indicate that a large class size negatively impacts students' satisfaction with their online language learning experience. Further, in the large-scale course, the quality and quantity of student–student and student–instructor interaction was limited and instructor expertise was underutilized since the large class size affected the instructor's ability to create an environment conducive to learning.

► The demand for online foreign language courses in higher education is growing.
► Decisions about online foreign language class size are not based on best practices.
► A large online class size negatively impacts students' satisfaction with the course.
► The quality and quantity of interaction are limited in large-scale language classes.