PROS, CONS, CHALLENGES, AND SOLUTIONS: ENGLISH TEACHERS IN THE NEW NORMAL

Author Name: Kathleya Vianca P. Habon

Volume/Issue: 03/08

Country: Phillipines

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/03.2023-12881789/UIJIR

Affiliation:

Oic Director, Don Honorio Ventura State University Candaba Campus Pasig, Candaba Pampanga, Philippines

ABSTRACT

This qualitative phenomenological research investigated the pros, cons, challenges, and proposed solutions of 13 English language educators from five (5) different higher education institutions (HEI) both private and public in Pampanga concerning education in the new normal. The participants were identified using purposive sampling technique, snowball sampling, and expert sampling. It used an open-ended semi-structured interview guide that was facilitated online via Google Forms. The method used is thematic analysis, and based on the analysis of codes, four (4) themes were identified in this paper. These are connectivity, technical knowledge and skills, pedagogical customization and student accountability, and institutional and academic planning. In terms of the advantages of online education, the participants deem convenience as the major advantage since it is a work-from-home (WFH) set-up, and the lack of student engagement as the primary disadvantage as students lack the necessary virtual classroom participation. In addition, majority of the participants recommended careful institutional and academic planning to address the challenges. In conclusion, education in the new normal brought about upsides, downsides, challenges that need for careful and long-term solutions for academic sustainability and continuous instructional delivery despite the pandemic. Both technological and pedagogical knowledge and skills during online education must be considered to make the teaching and learning experience worthwhile.

Key words: online education, pedagogy, language instruction, new normal, pandemic, higher education institution, English language education