An exploration of the role of online language education in developing the oral English skills of Chinese students in preparation for university study in the UK

This thesis, set against the backdrop of globalisation and the internationalisation ofhigher education, explores how online language learning can enhance theEnglish-speaking proficiency of Chinese students. The study emphasises thatEnglish-speaking skills play a crucial role in promoting international academicexchange, improving the study abroad experience, and increasing students’competitiveness in the global job market. It examines how the rise of online languagelearning, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has introduced both opportunitiesand challenges to higher education, such as bridging cultural differences, overcominglanguage barriers, and fostering student self-discipline.The primary aim of this research is to assess whether online language learning caneffectively improve the oral English proficiency of future Chinese students studyingat UK universities. To achieve this, the study considers the educational backgroundsof Chinese students, China’s online learning policies, and existing literature. Drawingon theoretical frameworks such as motivation, social capital, cultural capital, andhabitus, the research investigates the impact of online language learning on studentmotivation, oral communication skills, and their integration into social and academiclife in the UK. The research methods include online observations and interviews,revealing how online instructional strategies influence students' oral proficiency,while also identifying the technological challenges faced by Chinese studentsengaging in online education.Additionally, the study formulates four key research questions to explore themultidimensional effects of online language learning, with a particular focus on itsrole in language development for Chinese students during the global pandemic. Thiscomprehensive approach not only provides students with effective strategies toovercome the challenges of online language learning but also aims to serve as avaluable resource for educators, universities, and educational platforms in advancingthe development and application of digital language education.