Reflection of English Teachers in Instructional Strategies: Challenges and Insights in the New Normal

Randolph  G. Catungal,

Reflection of English Teachers in Instructional Strategies: Challenges and Insights in the New Normal

Discipline: Education

Abstract:

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aims to give a critical examination of teachers’ experiences with online learning. The study investigated the first-hand experiences of English online teachers in the Philippines using a qualitative phenomenology research methodology. The contexts in which the teachers employed online learning included individual online classrooms, which were complex, demanding, and dynamic. The study focused on the challenges, problems, struggles, and opportunities that English teachers face in their online classroom activities and the possible solutions to making online learning and teaching more effective and adaptive to the critical issues at hand. The following categories or themes of English online learning emerged from the analysis: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning and teaching; Design and delivery differences between face-to-face teaching and learning; Difficulties in online learning and ways to overcome them; Factors that contribute to the success of online teaching and learning; Materials-based approach to online learning; Tools-based approach to online learning; Tracking students’ participation and learning in online classes; and Continuation of online learning post-pandemic. After the study, logical recommendations are discussed based on the findings. The study concludes with a set of recommendations for online learning that may be practical and effective. The researcher recommends the development of a context-based, inclusive, and relevant online learning policy guideline that might be applied in emergency scenarios today and in the future.

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