Teachers’ Strategy in Teaching English Using Virtual Learning Platform during the Covid-19 Pandemic in SMP Negeri 3 Palopo

Abstract

This research aims at figuring out strategies that the teachers use at SMP Negeri 3 Palopo in teaching English during the COVID-19 pandemic and obstacles in the teaching process during the COVID-19 pandemic at SMP Negeri 3 Palopo. The method used was a mixed method in a convergent parallel design. Through an online questionnaire, the researchers administered a close-ended questionnaire to the eight grade students, and an open-ended questionnaire was administered to the English teachers of SMP Negeri 3 Palopo. The data were analyzed using description qualitative and statistical analysis. The result of this research indicates that the teachers used different strategies in teaching English as they were adjusted to the pandemic situation and the students’ needs. Several obstacles were faced during distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the unstable internet connection, students’ different economic backgrounds, the distractions of learning at home, and the difficulty of achieving learning objectives as both the students and teachers were required to adjust with the new situation in a short period of time.