Blended Learning Practice In Efl Teaching In Indonesia

Abstract

There were few challenges in implementing blended learning when it was proposed years ago. In order to implement blended learning, teachers are required to have the knowledge both in the technology and materials delivery. Teachers’ knowledge on how to utilize technology to blend physical and virtual environments was a challenge in blended learning implementation. However, the whole world had to conduct education virtually when Covid-19 struck. EFL teachers were forced to learn how to use technology for online learning. This research aims to observe how the pandemic shifts the practice of blended learning in EFL teaching in Indonesia. A questionnaire was distributed to 26 EFL teachers in Indonesia in order to determine their teaching practice after the pandemic. Interviews were conducted to 7 participants to collect data on how the pandemic changed their preferences on teaching environment. The result suggested that Covid-19 pandemic generally forced Indonesian EFL teachers to learn how to conduct learning activities within online environments. It also has its role to push blended learning practice after the pandemic. However, this does not apply to Boarding Schools with dormitories since the students used to be isolated for the whole semester even before the pandemic and not bring their gadgets with them. Students’ autonomy and the availability of proper internet connections remain challenges in implementing blended learning in EFL teaching practice in Indonesia.