Reflecting on Existing English-for-Academic-Purposes Practices: Lessons for the Post-COVID Classroom

ABSTRACT

This study explored the remote teaching experiences of a group of English for academic purposes teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on what was learned from the transition to identify which practices are worth keeping and which should be abandoned as well as how English for academic purposes practitioners can move from emergency to sustainability. In this qualitative, interpretive study, a total of 15 teachers participated in semi-structured interviews investigating their experiences, challenges, and opportunities teaching English for academic purposes during emergency remote teaching and their opinions on how this information could be leveraged to develop sustainable English-for-academic-purposes technology practices. The results indicated that the teachers understood the necessity of emergency remote teaching, were aware of their role in their students’ academic success, and believed in the importance of integrating technology into language teaching and learning. They also adopted various strategies for online English-for-academic-purposes delivery. It is suggested that effective professional development for English-for-academic-purposes teachers consider what teachers believe they need, the shifting educational landscape, and how to inculcate pedagogical practices that will enrich the language classroom by using technology in language teaching and learning. They also adopted various strategies for online English for academic purposes delivery. It is suggested that effective professional development for English for academic purposes teachers must consider what teachers believe they need, the shifting educational landscape, and how to inculcate pedagogical practices that will enrich the language classroom.