University students' perceptions through e-learning implementation during COVID-19 pandemic: Positive or negative features dominate?

English language instruction that moves away from offline to online should become the EFL lecturers’ concern for their students’ successful learning outcome. The students must be kept in mind when they plan and program instruction. This study aims at investigating perceptions preferences on through e-learning implementation during COVID-19 pandemic. research applies a qualitative approach descriptive method design by involving 106 class three different higher educations Aceh, Indonesia. thematic comparative analyses are applied analyzing data. findings of show 50% impress negative features concerning internet network, high need quotas, limitation material explanation absorption, social media influences. also reveals 59.6% positive dominate associated with interest as new experience/exploration, engagement enthusiasm, flexibility time place, advance digital technology usage adaptation. Besides, WhatsApp, Opensimka, Google Classroom, Meet have four most preferable platform among respondents. It implies pandemic gives variety practical benefits university virtual class. Yet, this still requires sufficient mentoring extra supporting tools lecturers.