Flipped Classroom : A Literature Review on the Benefits and Drawbacks of theReversed Classroom

Technology has become an integral part in the realm of education. The flipped classroom is a recent teaching method where students can watch instructional online videos outside the classroom that actively engage them in their learning process. Although this trend has gained momentum in many disciples and there are many studies available, research behind language acquisition through the flipped classroom model is limited. Still it is implemented by many teachers in the upper secondary school in Sweden. The aim of this study is to investigate the benefits and drawbacks of the flipped classroom in the EFL context and to see if the Flipped Classroom enhances interactive skil ls in students’ language learning. Peer reviewed research articles were used and data has been collected through research behind the Flipped Classroom. The perceptions behind it were divided. Some teachers and students experienced the Flipped Classroom as something positive with regard to availability of material, the promotion of active learning for students and enhancement in language interaction. Along with these, criticism made on this teaching method is that creating material to be available online was time consuming and that perceived an increase in the homework load. As regards oral interaction, both teachers and students felt that it did enhance skills in speaking since preparation before class lead to qualitative time for interaction with the teacher during class, something that was very limited before implementing the flipped classroom model. This review suggests that there is a demand for further studies in the area of English language teaching and English language acquisition in the Swedish context of upper secondary education