The Challenges of Teaching English through Online Instructions to Malaysian Primary School Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges of teaching English through online instructions to Malaysian primary school students. Due to the current pandemic, education has transferred from traditional approach to online instructions. Online learning has enabled the students to continue their education including primary schools. This study aims to focus on the challenges that confronted by English language teachers to teacher English to primary school students. This study evaluates the students’ transition and acceptance level towards online learning. The result achieved by analysing 19 teachers’ responses in survey – based questionnaire. Interview was also conducted with 2 teachers based on the similar questions. From the survey, it was learned that online instructions’ problems are related to academic, technical and communication. The findings of the study revealed that there are many challenges faced by Malaysian teachers when teaching English through online instructions to Malaysia primary school students. Based on the challenges, some suggestions and recommendations to overcome the challenges of teaching English online are presented. Although schools have started its physical operation, with the current pandemic situation, there is no guarantee that physical schools can be sustained, hence, the findings are deemed relevant in relation to the current context.