Perspectives on English Language Teaching and Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Since its outbreak two years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world-wide education systems, leading to school closures in many countries as well as the changes in the whole educational procedures. In order to reassure parents, students and other involved leaders, there has been a rapid shift from face-to-face education to emergency online teaching. English language teaching and learning is accordingly an integral flow in this stream of online process, which then motivates educators and researchers to have a further look at the effects of COVID-19 on digital language acquisition. Hence, this study aims to explore both teachers’ and students’ perspectives on English language teaching and learning during COVID-19 pandemic. The findings, from both quantitative and qualitative data, reveal that all the participants as learners agreed upon the positive influences of online English learning in terms of skill development. Besides, they also considered the flexibility of class schedules and a variety of online assignments as the biggest advantages while bothering with some disadvantages such as internet/technical and health problems. As for English language teachers, speaking skill is the most challenging skill to help students; moreover, some of their concerns include difficulties in class management, online interaction, facilitation, assessment and digital literacy. Nevertheless, they confirmed the advantages of online resources, new knowledge of technological issues and development of learner autonomy. Overall, the research appeals more support from the university officials to improve the quality of online English teaching and learning; in addition, it contributes to make both teachers’ and learners’ voices heard during the coronavirus quarantine.

Keywords: Pandemic, Online, English, Teaching, Learning, Perspectives, Development.

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-34-01

Publication date: December 31^st 2022