Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on CALL Number 9. July 2023 Pp. 135-146
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call9.9
Challenges and Difficulties Faced by ESP Teachers in Teaching during COVID-19
Pandemic in Iraq
Edhah Numan Khazaal
Department of International Economic Relations
College of Political Sciences,
University of Al-Nahrain, Baghdad, Iraq
E-mail: ass.prof.edhah@gmail.com
Received 04/13/2023 Accepted:07/05/ 2023 Published: 07/24/2024
Abstract:
E-teaching quickly became an essential way for educational institutions and universities during the global COVID-19 pandemic, as teaching during the breakdown has brought education to a new level. The present study aimed to investigate the challenges and difficulties faced ESP teachers in online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq and also clarify the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on changing the methods of teaching. The study is important to show the role of online teaching and the teachers’ barriers to online teaching. The study aims to answer the following question: Are there any challenges and difficulties faced the ESP teachers in e-teaching during the covid-19 pandemic? And what are the factors that cause these challenges and difficulties? The study is limited to ESP teachers at Al-Nahrain /College of political sciences during the academic year 2022-2023. The participants of this research are ESP teachers, who have been teaching English for specific purposes for years. Twenty ESP teachers were chosen randomly for this study. An online questionnaire and interview were designed by using Google Forms for this purpose. The data analyzed qualitatively. The results showed that there are many problems facing the ESP teachers in online teaching. These problems may be solved by acquiring training, technical skills, and the development of information and technology. The conclusion showed there are numerous challenges and difficulties face Iraqi teachers in teaching on-line.
Keywords: Challenges and difficulties, COVID-19 pandemic, ESP teachers, Google Forms, Online Teaching
Cite as: Khazaal, E. N. (2023). Challenges and Difficulties Faced by ESP Teachers in Teaching During COVID – 19 Pandemic in Iraq. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on CALL (9)135-146.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call9.9
References
Ahmed, K., W. & Ahmed, H. (2020). The Application and Challenges of Using E-Learning in Teaching at Iraqi Universities during the Coronavirus (Covid-19)Iraqi University Journal. Center of Research and Studies. Al-Noon Center.1 (2) .224-240.
Al- Kayed. R. I. (2020). Advantages and disadvantages of e- learning in basic private
Schools in the AL-Jama’a district in Jordan from a teacher perspective . Ilkogretim Online – Elementary Education Online, 19 (4): 920-927
http://ilkogretim-online.org .doi:10.17051/ilkonline.2020.04.200
Ameen, N. & Willis, R. (2017). The use of e-learning by students in Iraqi universities: Potential and challenges. Conference Paper · 8th International Visible Conference on Educational Studies & Applied Linguistics. Conference Paper.369-381 DOI: 10.23918/vesal2017.a2
Anderson, T. (2008). The Theory and Practice of Online Learning. Athabasca: Athabasca University Press.
Ascough, R. (2002). Designing for online distance education: putting pedagogy before technology. Teaching Theology and Religion, 5 (1). Pp.17-29. Retrieved from: http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=1368-4868&site=1.
Atsani, K. L. G. M. Z. (2020). Transformasi mediapembelajaran pada masa Pandemi COVID- 19. Al-Hikmah, 1 (1), 82–93.
BBC. (2020). Coronavirus: Window of Opportunity to Act, World Health Organization Says. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51368873.
Bipasha G. (2020). Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Teaching Learning during Pandemics. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT). 8 (8), 982-985. Available at: https:/ www.ijcrt.org.
Bijeesh, N. A. (2017) Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning. Sadeghi International Journal of Research in English Education 4,(1), 81-88. Retrieved from: https: //www.indiaeducation.net/online-education/articles/advantages-and-
disadvantages-of-distancelearning.html.
Brown, C. (2017). Advantages and disadvantages of distance learning. Retrieved from: https://www.eztalks.com/elearning/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-distance-learning.html
Crawford, J. et al. (2020). COVID-19: 20 Countries Higher Education Intra-Period
Digital Pedagogy Responses. Journal of Applied Teaching and Learning, 3 (1), 9-28.
https://doi.org/10.37074/jalt.2020.3.1.7
Dyrud, M. A. (2000). The Third Wave: a position paper. Business Communication Quarterly, 63 (3), 81-93. https://doi.org/10.1177/108056990006300310
Harasim, L. M. (1989). Online education: A new domain. In R. Mason & A. Kaye (Eds.), Mindweave: Communication, computers and distance education (pp. 50-62). New York: Pergamon Press.
Hasan, N., & Bao, Y.(2020). Impact of “e-Learning Crack-Up” Perception on Psychological Distress among College Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mediating Role of “Fear of Academic Year Loss”. Children and Youth Services Review, 118, (12) 183–192 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105355
Henderson M. D., Schmus C. J., McDonald C. C., & Irving S. Y. (2020) The COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on child mental health: A socio-ecological perspective. Pediatric Nursing, 46 (6), 267–290.
Kerras, N., & Salhi , S. E. (2021). University Education in Algeria during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Limitations and Challenges. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Arab World English Journal, 12 (3), 16-35 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol12no3.2
Khazaal, E. N. (.2022). ESP Undergraduates students’ PerceptionTtowards E-learning During Covid-19: A Case Study at the College of Political Sciences, Al-Nahrain University. Ramah Journal for Researches and Studies, 9 .821-839
Korkmaz, G., & Toraman, Ç. (2020) . Are we ready for the post-covid-19 educational practice? An investigation into what educators think as to online learning. International Journal of Technology in Education and Science (IJTES), 4 (4), 293-309. DOI: 10.46328/ijtes.v4i4.110
Martin, F., & Bolliger, D. U. (2018) Engagement Matters: Student Perceptions on the Importance of Engagement Strategies in the Online Learning Environment. Online Learning, 22, 205-222. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v22i1.1092
Naqvi, S., & Zehra, I. (2020). Online EFL Emergency Remote Teaching during COVID 19, Challenges and Innovative Practices: A Case of Oman. Arab World English Journal(AWEJ). Proceedings of 2nd MEC TESOL,17-35.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/MEC2.2
Rick, T., Knight, C., Watermeyer, R. P., & Goodall, J. (2021). The International Impact of COVID-19 and “Emergency Remote Teaching” On Computer Science Education Practitioners. In 2021 IEEE GlobalEngineering Education Conference (EDUCON) (pp. 1048-1055) . Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). DOI :10.1109/EDUCON46332.2021.9453846
Serin..H. (2022). Impact of Pandemic COVID-19 on Higher Education in Iraq . International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies. 9, (1.), 87-90 DOI: 10.23918/ijsses.v9i1p78.
Trang. T.T. L (2022).A Study on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning at a University in Vietnam during the Covid – 19 Pandemic Era. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSR-JRME), 12(2 Ser.), 44-48 Available at www.iosrjournals.org
Watermeyer, R., Courtois, A., & Lauder, H. (2020). Reacting to Covid-19 by slashing fixed-term staff would be a disaster. Times Higher Education. IU Online University
Available at: www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/reacting-covid-19-slashing-fixed-term-staff-would-be-adisaster
Watermeyer, R., Crick, T., Knight, C., & Goodall, J. ( 2020 ). COVID-19 and Digital Disruption in UK Universities: Afflictions and Affordances of Emergency Online Migration. Higher Education 81 (3), 623–641.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-020-00561-y