INVESTIGATING EFL TEACHERS’ MOTIVATIONAL STRATEGIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Teachers have a pivotal role in maintaining and improving EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners’ motivation. Thus, it seems important for teachers to have motivational strategies to nurture learners’ motivation, especially during Covid-19 pandemic where students need to adapt with different teaching and learning situations. The present study aims to analyze motivational strategies that teachers conduct to maintain their students’ motivation during Covid-19 pandemic. The present study will provide more insights to educators on practical knowledge to improve students’ motivation. The present study applied a mixed method by distributing a set of questionnaires and interviewing ten respondents. The results show promoting learners’ self confidence, increasing learners’ goal orientedness, presenting tasks properly, recognizing students’ efforts, making the learning tasks stimulating, promoting group cohesiveness are some of the most salient motivational strategies. On the other hand, creating a pleasant classroom climate and familiarizing learners with L2-related values are some of the least salient motivational strategies. The present study indicates that motivational strategies taken by teachers would depend on the present teaching contexts such as the condition of the learning environment and students, especially during health crises such as Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, it seems important for educators to adapt their approach according to the learning environment and conditions. In addition, pre-service teachers need to be equipped with teaching practical knowledge such as using technology in the classroom and communicating with students so that they will not feel isolated during online teaching.