A Decadal Examination of Community of Inquiry and Blended Learning in EFL/ESL Development: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The rising trend of blended learning, combining online and traditional classroom learning, shows its efficacy for teaching English as a foreign or second language. Utilizing the community of inquiry framework, it aims to establish effective online learning environments and merge them with blended learning to teach English to non-native speakers. The significance of this research lies in evaluating how this integration affects English teaching as a foreign or second language. The main research question, covering the last decade, investigates this approach’s specific challenges and long-term impacts on language learning. This study uses PRISMA guidelines to analyze Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar data. It includes a manual selection of highly cited studies for a systematic review methodology. Through a theoretical lens, it assesses predictors and outcomes and identifies trends in English as a foreign or second language oral instruction. The findings highlight the dimensions of knowledge, research methodologies, effectiveness, skill enhancement, and obstacles in integrating the community of inquiry with blended learning. Conclusively, the study offers recommendations to improve instructional quality and support the development of students, educators, and stakeholders for the continued growth of this pedagogical integration.