Language Teaching in the New Normal: A Comparative Study between Malaysia and Iraq

Abstract

Covid-19 has a severe impact on the way we teach and learn today. As the global pandemic has severely impacted our education sector, adaptation is much needed in the way we teach and learn as we adapt to the new normal. This comparative study involves four sets of data involving two teachers from Malaysia and two teachers from Iraq. The researchers interviewed the respondents and sorted their feedbacks according to the themes of this study. The study reveals the differences and similarities in how teachers adapt to the new way of teaching English and teaching methods for receptive and productive English skills to high school students in both countries. It also reveals teachers’ opinions on using first language materials in their English teaching. The study highlights the teaching theories and principles applied by teachers in both countries in teaching in the new normal. The study also reveals that the respondents managed to adapt authentic teaching and learning materials for online teaching and revamped their lesson plans and timetables. The respondents also used the Telegram application to share teaching and learning materials and connect with their students. All respondents agree with the use of first language materials in teaching English and the role of teachers to motivate students in learning English in the new normal. Finally, the study reveals that all respondents from both countries manage to adapt to the new teaching method in the pandemic.