Digital vs Print Resources: How the Evolution of Resources is Changing the Way International Students EFL students Learn.

Abstract

As English is the universal language, increasing number of international students who travel abroad in the purpose of receiving a credible education in learning English. UK has become one of the most attractive distention for many of international English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners, including Arabic students. This greaten the role of library and information service provision as language barrier is a significant challenge in meeting their user’ information need. Especially with the continuous development in technology, the choices of resources used in EFL learning are not limited by print resources anymore, international EFL students have variety of digital resources which give them more flexibility in learning. However, this alone might not guarantee students a good quality of information. Especially with Arabic EFL students where their native language is a Semitic that has substantial differences in language than English. This study aims at investigating at whether the majority of international EFL students prefer using digital resources, print resources, or a combination of both; with taking into consecration what resources qualities they based their preference on; how is that preference effecting their learning outcome; with discovering the effect of the native language (Arabic) on their resources preference and learning outcome; along with the challenge for library and information provision in this matter. The study adopted a quantitative method. The required data were obtained by the mean of a questionnaire. The sample of the study was (35) international EFL students in the UK (20 Arabic and 15 non-Arabic speaker). The responses were analyzed by using Qualtrics and Excel. The study found that: 1) The majority of international students prefer digital resources and it show a better learning outcome. 2) Native language has an effect on students’ resources preference and learning outcome. 3) Library and information service face high challenges that are mainly related lack of service and marketing.