Saudi EFL teachers adapting to online learning in the pandemic: reflections on the experience and permanent changes to teaching practices.

Abstract

In order to mitigate the spread of the COVID19 pandemic, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia instituted remote education to deliver classes at all levels of education. This rapid change from teaching in-person to teaching from a distance sought to protect the young and at the same time sustain the education process. This research investigated the teaching methods that teachers in the Saudi Arabian education system, some of whom already used online methods, applied before and during the COVID19 pandemic and what they learned from doing this. The study, using a combination of survey and interviews, was conducted on 42 male and female teachers from private and state schools. A majority of the 42 survey respondents showed an increase in the use of digital textbooks, video clips and video-conferencing software. The majority of respondents indicated that training and necessary software were the most important support their schools provided, but many participants criticized the lack of internet connections and necessary hardware. Also, the study revealed that there was a reduction in their anxiety of teaching remotely after teaching online for an extended period. Lastly, most respondents would continue using some methods and materials used during COVID19 afterwards. Overall, the investigation found that the measures taken by the MOE were effective, and the Saudi teachers had adapted quite well. However, there was criticism about the hardware provision and training. Moreover, teachers had learned some lessons from this in that they learned to use some digital tools that they would continue to use in the future.