Teacher-Student Interaction in Online ESL/EFL Classrooms: A Review of Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-440-2_144How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Online ESL/EFL learning; teacher-student interaction; synchronous interaction; asynchronous interaction; digital pedagogy

Abstract

Teacher-student interaction is a critical factor influencing learning engagement, academic performance, and language proficiency in online English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education. This study examines the characteristics of synchronous and asynchronous interaction, their impact on student outcomes, and their pedagogical implications for online language learning. Using a systematic literature review approach, this study synthesizes findings from recent empirical research on online teacher-student interaction, highlighting key trends, challenges, and instructional strategies. The findings indicate that synchronous interaction enhances real-time engagement, facilitates immediate feedback, and supports oral proficiency development. However, technological barriers and participation anxiety remain significant challenges. While asynchronous interaction offers flexibility and opportunities for deeper reflection, it may reduce spontaneous communication and delay feedback. This study underscores the necessity of a balanced integration of synchronous and asynchronous methods to optimize student engagement and learning effectiveness. The findings have theoretical significance in advancing the understanding of digitally mediated language learning and practical implications for educators in designing interactive and student-centered online learning environments.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Wanyi Liu
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/07/10
TI  - Teacher-Student Interaction in Online ESL/EFL Classrooms: A Review of Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication
BT  - Proceedings of the 2025 11th International Conference on Humanities and Social Science Research（ICHSSR 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 1277
EP  - 1287
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-440-2_144
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-440-2_144
ID  - Liu2025
ER  -