Blended learning in the Covid-19 pandemic: Implementation and reflection in the context of teaching assistance to EFL learners

Abstract

Learning policies in schools have undergone a lot of significant changes during the Covid-19 pandemic, including the implementation of blended learning. Teachers are encouraged to integrate online and offline learning in achieving learning objectives as well as optimizing the learning environment. This study aims to describe the practice of blended learning in English instruction during the Covid-19 pandemic through the implementation and reflection activities during the MBKM program called teaching assistance held at one of the state junior high schools in Wonoayu, Sidoarjo. This study used a descriptive qualitative method. This study was conducted for 5 months by interviewing one of the English teachers at SMPN 1 Wonoayu and using an observation sheet as a data collection instrument. The results of the study indicate that teachers and students can maximize English classes with the implementation of blended learning. According to the results, there are issues that teacher and students have to deal with, including time constraints and school facilities. The application of this blended learning requires creativity in providing an English learning platform so that learning during the pandemic is able to provide optimal benefits for teachers and students.