THE NEW NORMAL. TRANSITION TO ONSITE EDUCATION AFTER THE PANDEMIC. PROBLEMS, CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS

Abstract

In this article, the author shares her experience of transitioning back to a traditional onsite teaching format at the university following almost two years of online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, draws some conclusions and makes recommendations. The problems associated with teaching and learning English in a collective setting as opposed to an individual online one are also touched upon. The article provides conclusions based on the experience of transitioning to teaching English after a period of teaching it online during the pandemic. The opinions of various researchers regarding the complications and problems that arise during the transition are presented. The article also deals with the possible behavioral and mental problems that students and teachers face during the transition. The reasons associated with the unexpected denial of the onsite routine by the students, called “post-pandemic syndrome” are examined, as well as the connection between this process and loss of motivation. Other aspects that are analyzed are the so-called “acquired” psychological problems triggered by the change in the everyday routine and the return to collective onsite learning. Detailed recommendations for each problem are provided.