Covid 19 pandemic has not only affected global economy but also the educational systems simultaneously. The pandemic situation has posed unprecedented challenges requiring educators to adapt teaching online. Switching from face to face classroom to a virtual classroom makes the learning experience entirely different and brings new challenges for students. This study aimed to explore the students’ attitude and motivation towards online English language learning. To achieve the objectives, an online survey was carried out in 4 different classes consist of 89 students from Commerce Department, Politeknik Kota Bharu in order to gather the data. Field notes were also used during the online class observations to secure the findings. The findings demonstrate that good attitude and motivation can influence students’ acceptance towards online English language learning. They can determine what the students learn, how they learn and when they choose to learn during online classes. There should be a mutual trust between the lecturer and the students. The role of lecturer can be diversified, from being an instructor, to becoming a motivator, facilitator or coach to the students until they gain their confidence in using the language especially during online classes. An understanding, encouraging, approachable and helpful lecturers will definitely help to reduce the students’ difficulties in learning English via distance education and can assist weaker students with achieving success in the course. As for the students, this study is expected to raise students’ positive attitudes and motivation in learning English online despite the challenges that they face. Motivated and interested students are more likely to be actively engaged in online English language learning.  Further recommendations and suggestions are discussed in this paper focusing the ways and means on how to overcome certain issues in language acquisition that might hinder students’ attitude and motivation to learn English.