GLOBAL CRISIS - LOCAL CONSEQUENCES: ONLINE TEACHING OF GERMAN AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN SERBIA IN THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES CAUSED BY COVID-19

Abstract

This article focuses on the limits of teaching in times of crisis or Corona times. This article first reports on online lessons in general. At first, the results of the survey are being presented, followed by the analysis of answers from students regarding their attitudes to online lessons (German as a foreign language) at the elementary school “Kole Rasic” in Niš. After that, teachers' answers are analyzed regarding their opinions towards online teaching in Serbia. From the results of the analysis, recommendations for further investigations and the implementation of online lessons are given. The potential of digital for foreign language teaching and learning was recognized at the micro and macro level. Teachers have expanded their knowledge and acquired new skills. Publishers have identified opportunities to modernize their educational materials and develop webinars. International organizations, which e.g., deal with teacher training, such as the Goethe Institute, now offer various options for teaching and learning in the field of German as a foreign language. According to the results of the analysis, the following can be stated: In terms of satisfaction with the materials, we can see that the students' answers are very different from those of the teachers. The pupils were happier than the largely unsure teachers. As far as communication with other classmates and teachers is concerned, we can see that both had different impressions. Over 80% of teachers felt that communication was good, while pupils had divided opinions about this question. Regarding the development of language skills, we see that the students' answers differ greatly from the answers of the teachers. Almost half of the students were more satisfied with their knowledge (selfevaluation) whereas the teachers were not. They were dissatisfied or could not comment on this question and could not evaluate the knowledge of the pupils.