Does Asynchronous Learning in English for Academic Purposes Enhance Academic Performance? Evidence from University-Wide GPA Outcomes

This study investigates how educational technology through an asynchronous online EAP course can enhance student performance at a university in Singapore. Leveraging a quasi-experimental approach, institutional data from 2017 to 2020 were analyzed to compare semester grade point averages (SGPA) between students who completed the EAP course and those exempted based on a standardized English proficiency cutoff. The findings reveal that students who undertook the asynchronous EAP course achieved modest but statistically significant gains in SGPA. These results suggest that technology-enhanced, self-paced learning environments can enhance academic achievement. By challenging assumptions that privilege face-to-face instruction, the study supports the value of educational technology in academic English development and highlights the potential of asynchronous EAP courses as scalable, sustainable, and impactful academic support in higher education.