Résumé:
The use of learning-based applications has remarkably increased in the Algerian
universities since the last couple of years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Google Meet was
used as a learning platform to deliver an online oral course in the department of English at
Mohamed Seddik Ben Yehia University, Jijel. This study attempted to explore English as a
Foreign Language (EFL) students’ attitudes towards using the Google Meet Application as
an alternative to face-to-face oral course. Besides, it evaluated the extent of EFL students’
interaction in this unusual learning atmosphere. Subsequently, it was hypothesised that the
good mastery and appropriate use of the Google Meet Application will develop learners’
positive attitudes towards online classes, and therefore, increase interaction amongst them
and enhance their language learning achievement. Practically, data was gathered using a
qualitative approach. First, a semi-structured interview was conducted with (09) randomly
selected first-year EFL students at Mohamed Seddik Ben Yehia University to elicit their
learning experiences in using this application. Then, classroom observations were arranged
with two first-year groups three and four (3&4) to have insights about the learners’
interaction. The findings revealed that EFL learners at Mohamed Seddik Ben Yahia
University held positive attitudes towards using Google Meet Application for their oral
course, and proved that it was an adequate learning application that made students no
longer isolated, but more interactive though the internet bandwidth and connectivity
hurdles. Given the results obtained, it was recommended for EFL departments to provide
their teachers with the necessary training and support to generalise the use of Google Meet
to other courses that require real-time interaction
