Document Type : research article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate of Arass Campus of Tehran University

2 Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/jflr.2025.385328.1167

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to examine and compare the challenges and strategies that Iranian English language teachers have faced during the coronavirus and post-coronavirus pandemic. The research follows a qualitative design which is descriptive in nature. 14 teachers participated in a semi-structured interview and stratification method was used to categorize teachers into two groups of experienced and novice ones. The results of the interviews during COVID-19 and post-COVID 19 eras showed that many of the local platforms used by teachers were not suitable, therefore teachers were forced to use other non-technological and offline teaching practices. The study also represented that teaching English during the COVID-19 has created some challenges for Iranian teachers, such as developing new techniques to attract the attention of participants and adapting school curriculum materials to the computer-based materials. Teachers tried various strategies (e.g., preparing more course materials, changing the required platform, creating interesting environment) to overcome challenges. In post-COVID 19, teachers faced challenges of reverse engineering theory in education, and using blended learning enabled them to partially overcome the challenges of their teaching, which required them to spend a lot of time and energy. In addition, the findings displayed that the ability and skill of novice teachers in conducting online classes can compensate for the lack of adequate experience in teaching. This study suggests the English language education officials to reconsider their strategies by introducing more efficient software, preparing course materials beforehand and creating dynamic motivation for learners and teachers of blended learning.

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