Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Februari
Open Access
Peer Reviewed

Challenges of an English Teacher in Teaching at The Best School in a Rural Area

Authors

Marhamah , Ari Prasetyaningrum , M. Adib Nazri , Siti Ayu Surayya

DOI:

10.29303/jcar.v8i1.13220

Published:

2026-01-30

Downloads

Abstract

This study aims to identify the challenges faced by an English teacher and the strategies used to overcome them at MA NWDI Lepak, recognized as the best school in a rural area of East Lombok. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, this research explored the teacher’s real experiences through classroom observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. The findings revealed three major challenges in English teaching: low student motivation, varied levels of language proficiency, and limited learning facilities. To address these, the teacher implemented adaptive strategies such as brainstorming, elicitation, scaffolding, group learning, differentiated support, and delayed error correction. These approaches demonstrated creativity and student-centered teaching that fostered learning despite infrastructural constraints. The study concludes that the success of English teaching in rural schools depends not on advanced facilities but on the teacher’s creativity, innovation, and adaptability, and recommends that rural teacher development programs emphasize context-based pedagogical training to enhance effective, communicative, and contextualized English instruction.

Keywords:

Discovery Learning, English Language Skills, Strategies and Approaches, Language Learners.

References

Atmowardoyo, H., & Sakkir, G. (2024). Translanguaging in rural EFL classrooms: Local language as learning resource. Journal of Applied Linguistics Research, 8(2), 115–128.

Azano, A. P., & Stewart, T. T. (2016). Exploring place and practicing justice: Preparing pre‐service teachers for success in rural schools. Journal of Research in Rural Education, 31(3), 1–12.

Cahyati, N. (2015). The importance of English proficiency for global competitiveness. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa, 12(1), 45–54.

Cenoz, J., & Gorter, D. (2017). Pedagogical translanguaging: An introduction. System, 59, 1–11.

Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.

Damayanti, R., Yusuf, A., & Purnamawati, S. (2024). Teachers as facilitators and motivators in EFL learning. International Journal of English Education, 10(1), 33–47.

Dörnyei, Z. (2014). Motivational strategies in the language classroom. Cambridge University Press.

Handayani, T., Kurniawati, D., & Santoso, R. (2025). Students’ motivation in rural English classrooms: A qualitative inquiry. Indonesian Journal of Language Education, 5(1), 12–24.

Harmer, J. (2007). The practice of English language teaching (4th ed.). Pearson Longman.

Harlina, L., & Yusuf, A. (2020). The influence of school environment on English learning outcomes in rural Indonesia. Journal of Language and Education, 6(2), 85–97.

Harlina, L., & Yusuf, A. (2021). Challenges of teaching English in disadvantaged rural schools. Indonesian Journal of Education, 9(1), 22–31.

Hattie, J., & Temperley, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of Educational Research, 77(1), 81–112.

Hattie, J., & Yates, G. (2014). Visible learning and the science of how we learn. Routledge.

Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2018). Cooperative learning: Improving university instruction by basing practice on validated theory. Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, 25(3–4), 85–118.

Juliani, S. (2025). Digital co-teaching models in Indonesian rural education. Journal of Education and Society, 7(1), 55–70.

Krashen, S. D. (1982). Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Pergamon Press.

Laila, N., Adityarini, D., & Maryadi, D. (2023). Teacher adaptation in under-resourced rural schools. Journal of Pedagogical Inquiry, 4(2), 101–115.

Law, A., & Aziz, R. (2023). Demotivation factors in English learning among rural students. ELT Research Journal, 9(2), 133–144.

Lestari, D., Putra, A., & Sari, M. (2025). Implementing translanguaging pedagogy in EFL classrooms. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 11(1), 1–13.

Li, X., Chen, J., & Huang, S. (2022). Distance learning for rural teacher professional development: A case study in Asia. Educational Technology & Society, 25(1), 42–56.

Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage Publications.

McVee, M. B., Dunsmore, K., & Gavelek, J. R. (2018). Schema theory revisited. Review of Educational Research, 85(4), 936–972.

Meyer, A., Rose, D. H., & Gordon, D. (2014). Universal design for learning: Theory and practice. CAST Professional Publishing.

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Moleong, L. J. (2019). Metodologi penelitian kualitatif (Edisi Revisi). PT Remaja Rosdakarya.

Nihaya, N., Fauzan, M., & Sari, D. (2025). Differentiated instruction in heterogeneous classrooms. Journal of Language Teaching, 13(2), 77–90.

Nunan, D. (2003). Practical English language teaching. McGraw-Hill.

Nurhayati, D. (2022). Excellent rural schools in Indonesia: The role of teacher leadership. Journal of Educational Research, 10(4), 200–212.

Purnamawati, S., & Abbas, M. (2024). Teacher roles and language learning outcomes in EFL contexts. Journal of English Pedagogy, 6(1), 25–39.

Puspitasari, E. (2020). Barriers in English language teaching in rural areas of Indonesia. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, 8(2), 99–112.

Rogers, C. R. (1983). Freedom to learn for the 80’s. Charles Merrill.

Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2001). Approaches and methods in language teaching (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Sahnan. (2024). English as a foreign language in Indonesia: Policy and practice. Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching, 19(2), 45–58.

Saputri, D., & Sukarno, H. (2024). Facilities and teacher performance in rural schools. Journal of Educational Studies, 7(2), 54–66.

Spradley, J. P. (1980). Participant observation. Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Sugiyono. (2022). Metode penelitian kualitatif. Alfabeta.

Sujarwo, T., Arifin, M., & Rahmawati, L. (2024). Place-based English education in rural communities. Indonesian Journal of Language Teaching, 8(1), 40–53.

Swain, M. (2005). The output hypothesis: Theory and research. In E. Hinkel (Ed.), Handbook of research in second language teaching and learning (pp. 471–483). Routledge.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.

Weran, E., Pratama, S., & Yusuf, A. (2025). Student motivation in rural high schools: Factors and interventions. Journal of Educational Psychology Studies, 11(2), 98–111.

Widyahening, R., Kurniawan, D., & Maulana, M. (2024). Facility challenges in rural English education. Journal of Rural Education Studies, 9(1), 1–15.

Wiliam, D. (2018). Embedded formative assessment (2nd ed.). Solution Tree Press.

Yahya, M., & Martha, E. (2025). Teacher workload and professional development opportunities in rural schools. Journal of Educational Administration, 13(1), 25–39.

Zhou, Y., & Wang, H. (2025). Implementing place-based learning in EFL classrooms. Asian EFL Journal, 27(3), 210–226.

Author Biographies

Marhamah, Hamzanwadi University

Author Origin : Indonesia

Ari Prasetyaningrum, Hamzanwadi University

Author Origin : Indonesia

M. Adib Nazri, Hamzanwadi University

Author Origin : Indonesia

Siti Ayu Surayya, Hamzanwadi University

Author Origin : Indonesia

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

How to Cite

Marhamah, Prasetyaningrum, A., Nazri, M. A., & Surayya, S. A. (2026). Challenges of an English Teacher in Teaching at The Best School in a Rural Area. Journal of Classroom Action Research, 8(1), 33–40. https://doi.org/10.29303/jcar.v8i1.13220