THE OPPORTUNITIES AND THE CHALLENGES IN ONLINE ENGLISH-SPEAKING LEARNING DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK

During the Covid-19 outbreak, online learning is implemented at universities in Indonesia under the English for Foreign Language (EFL) context. English-speaking learning is one that is affected by the situation. There are two research questions in this research, the first is ‘What are the opportunities that students perceive in online English-speaking learning during the Covid-19 outbreak?’ while the second research question is “What are the challenges that students face in online English-speaking learning during the Covid-19 outbreak?’ This research uses a library research model. The data sources used are secondary data sources in the form of books, articles, and journals that have relevant information related to the opportunities that students perceive and the challenges that students face in online English-speaking learning during the Covid-19 outbreak The data analysis method used is content analysis. The findings exposed that effectiveness, online benefits, and improvement opportunities were the benefits obtained by students from online learning. Meanwhile, distractions, information overload, technical errors in online learning technology and internet connectivity matters, limited interaction, and inadequate support were hindrances that often hampered the students. Consequently, this scholarly paper also provides advice on the essence of the readiness of adequate facilities and the collaboration from stakeholders; government, teachers, students, and parents to successfully implement online learning.