An Analysis of Secondary EFL Teachers’ Strategies in Applying A Scientific Approach to Teaching English

Abstract

This descriptive qualitative research aims to describe the procedures used by teachers in teaching English with a Scientific Approach, to know teachers’ strategies in applying the Scientific Approach, and the challenges and solutions used by teachers to overcome problems that exist in applying the Scientific Approach. The research subjects were 3 English teachers at SMPN 13 Palu. Data were collected from interviews with teachers, observation of the teaching and learning process, and teacher lesson plans. The research findings show that (1) English teaching procedures in the scientific approach taken by the teacher consists of observing, asking, associating, experimenting, and communicating; (2) The challenges teachers face in applying the Scientific Approach are: lack of student motivation and students' interest in English lessons; (3) The strategies used by teachers to overcome problems in applying the Scientific Approach are: motivating students to be more active in learning, creating a conducive classroom atmosphere, creating varied learning methods, asking some stimulating questions about the material, providing comparisons the material, and translating difficult words that are found students.