Teacher's Perceptions and Experiences on Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Primary and High Schools during COVID-19 Pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Teaching and acquisition of English as a foreign language (EFL) has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic in all educational settings around the world. This research paper looks into the perceptions and experiences of EFL teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina's elementary and high schools throughout the pandemic. A qualitative method - interviews with 40 teachers - was used in the study. The results show that teachers had a variety of difficulties while instructing EFL during the pandemic, including a lack of internet access, a lack of student involvement, and a lack of sufficient training in online teaching methods. However, many instructors also acknowledged the benefits, like improved adaptability and creativity in their education. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving EFL instruction both during and after the epidemic, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that all students have fair access to resources and technology as well as the necessity of giving teachers more training and support. Keywords: EFL, teaching, learning, challenges, COVID-19, methods, strategies, creativity, technology, training, ICT tools