Online education has significantly gained popularity due to new technology and more
importantly, the growing impact of the digitalization of the economy. Despite its prominent
advantages such as accessibility, affordability and flexibility, the effectiveness of online education
is still a constant debate and needs extensive investigations in different research contexts. This
study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of online learning in comparison to traditional learning
in the context of English language teaching. This descriptive study was undertaken with learners
of English as a foreign language (EFL) in English proficiency preparation classes, employing an
online questionnaire together with final scores of proficiency tests. The results revealed that the
participants had relatively positive perceptions towards online learning in all four aspects: course
content, teachers, learning environment and course supports. The significant finding was that
when comparing the final results of the VSTEP exams, the online learners generally were able to
perform better than the learners in traditional classrooms, though the difference was not largely
remarkable. Online education in the new normal will continue to excel and the effectiveness of this
learning mode certainly needs further investigation from different perspectives.