Nurturing the human connection: Increasing student engagement and personal connection in an asynchronous language course

Abstract

[EN] Based on course evaluations, student needs and expectations regarding asynchronous courses have changed during and after the COVID pandemic. With the goal of meeting, understanding and responding to the needs of the post-COVID student, intentional modifications were made to an online, asynchronous course to ensure attention to the student as a whole. While respecting the need for asynchronous offerings, designing increased opportunities for human face-to-face interaction in the form of guided personal and language goal setting sessions, orientation sessions, chapter check-ins and exam preparation sessions were all implemented. Initial feedback results show a positive shift and satisfaction in learning, resilience and growth not only for students, but also for instructors.