Vol. 1 No. 30 (2025)
Professional Pedagogics

Professional Pedagogics

SYSTEMIC AND PEDAGOGICAL BARRIERS IN TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Published 29.05.2025

  • Yuliia Nenko

Yuliia Nenko
National University of Civil Defense of Ukraine image/svg+xml , National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine image/svg+xml

Abstract

Relevance of the study lies in the need to synthesize contemporary scientific approaches and formulate practical recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of English language teaching in higher education institutions.

Aim: a synthesis of contemporary scientific research dedicated to the challenges of teaching English as a foreign language in higher education institutions, and a systematization of recommendations based on empirical data.

Methods: theoretical analysis of scientific literature, content analysis of contemporary publications on the topic, synthesis and classification of approaches to teaching English, comparative analysis of pedagogical practices in higher education, and interpretation of results from previous empirical studies.

Results: main systemic and pedagogical factors complicating the effective teaching of English as a foreign language in higher education institutions have been identified. Problems related to insufficient teacher training, limited resources, and the mismatch of curricula with modern communicative needs have been revealed. The obtained results provide a foundation for developing practical recommendations aimed at improving the quality of language education.

Conclusions: analysis of contemporary scientific literature has shown that key problems include both external barriers (outdated curricula, standardized assessment, limited access to professional development) and internal factors related to pedagogical approaches and the level of teacher training. These factors reduce the quality of language education and hinder the development of students’ practical skills. Overcoming these challenges requires a comprehensive approach: reforming educational policy, updating curricula, ensuring continuous professional development for teachers, implementing flexible student-centered methodologies, and supporting the integration of authentic and digital resources.

Keywords

higher education, English as a foreign language (EFL), language education, teaching methodology, teacher professional development

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Author Biography

Yuliia Nenko

DSc in Education, Professor, Professor at Language Training Department at National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7868-0155, e-mail: Nenko_yuliia@nuczu.edu.ua 

References

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  24. Wang, Y. (2025). A Study on the Application and Effectiveness of Interactive Language Teaching in College English Classrooms. English Language Teaching and Linguistics Studies, 7, 16. https://doi.org/10.22158/eltls.v7n2p16
  25. Xie, W. (2025). Research on Student Self Evaluation and Feedback Management System in English Language Teaching. Scientific Journal of Technology, 7, 168-176.
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  27. Translated & Transliterated
  28. Adhikari, Y. (2021). Integrating Technology into English Language Teaching in Nepal: Student and Teacher Perspectives. Prithvi Academic Journal, 4, 107-120.
  29. Al-Jaro, M., Akkarapon, A. & Tayeb, Y. (2024). English Language Teaching Methods: Applicability and Challenges from EFL Teachers' Perspectives. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 6, 238-248. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i6.7218
  30. Al-wossabi, S. (2023). College English Teaching in Saudi Arabia: Challenges and Solutions. World Journal of English Language, 14, 535. https://doi.org/10.5430/wjel.v14n1p535
  31. Alfares, N. (2024). The Challenges of Effective English Language Teaching in Saudi Schools. English Language Teaching, 17, 96-96. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v17n10p96
  32. Azad, O. (2024). Using Communicative Language Teaching to Teach English as a Second Language to College Students. Inverge Journal of Social Sciences, 3, 28-44. https://doi.org/10.63544/ijss.v3i1.70
  33. Buzdugan, O., Oskina, N., Stryga, E., Avramenko, B. & Dyshel, G. (2025). Strategies for Effective Communication in English Language Teaching at Universities. Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología - Serie de Conferencias, 4, 1473. https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf20251473
  34. Chanwaiwit, P. & Kantisa, P. (2022). Thai Teachers’ Attitudes Towards English as A Lingua Franca: A Longitudinal Study. ELT Echo: The Journal of English Language Teaching in Foreign Language Context, 7, 133. https://doi.org/10.24235/eltecho.v7i2.11662
  35. Singh, M. (2024). Teaching and Learning of Languages in India with a Focus on English Languages, Educational Administration. Theory and Practice, 30(11), 1206-1210.
  36. Dr.C.ABIRAMI, & Chandrasekaran K, Abirami. (2025). Young Adult Learners' Expectations and Teachers' Role in English Language Teaching and Learning. Strad Research, 10, 186-191. https://doi.org/10.37896/sr10.7/022
  37. Ghafar, Z. (2023). Teaching English: The Challenges Teachers Face and the Various Instructional Techniques. Journal of Digital Learning and Distance Education, 2, 476-482. https://doi.org/10.56778/jdlde.v2i2.124
  38. Hussein, H. & Alqassier, A. (2024). The Influence of Stereotypical Teaching by Iraqi English Language Instructors on EFL College Students' Proficiency. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 7, 182-189.
  39. Kocha, I., Baidiuk, N., Stepanova, N., & Nenko, Y. (2022). Remote assessment: case study from Ukrainian higher education institutions. Brazilian Journal of Rural Education, 7, e14665. https://doi.org/10.20873/uft.rbec.e14665
  40. Kumar, Dr. (2024). Global Perspectives on English Language Teaching: Pedagogical Trends, Challenges, and Innovations. SSRN Electronic Journal, 11, 242-248. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5050505
  41. Leon, M. & Castro, J. (2025). Effect of Integrated Approach in Communicative English Language Teaching. International Journal of Open-access, Interdisciplinary and New Educational Discoveries of ETCOR Educational Research Center, 4, 86-90. https://doi.org/10.63498/nxz2st257
  42. Mallillin, L. L. & Mallillin, D. (2024). Teaching of English in the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): A Tool and Challenges for Teaching Pedagogy. Universal Library of Innovative Research and Studies, 01. https://doi.org/10.70315/uloap.ulirs.2024.0102002
  43. Marav, D., & Batsuuri, A. (2025). Challenges of Teaching English in Rural Contexts of Mongolia. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(4), 439–451. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i4.8855
  44. Mutolwa, G. & Mwanza, D. (2025). Challenges Faced by Teachers When Teaching English Grammar Using Communicative Language Teaching Approach in Multilingual Classrooms. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 10, 600-610. https://doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2025.10030043
  45. Qu, L. (2025). Research on the Current Situation, Challenges, and Improvement Strategies for the Digital Teaching Competence of English Teachers in Higher Vocational Colleges Amidst the Background of Artificial Intelligence. Scientific Journal Of Humanities and Social Sciences, 7, 14-22. https://doi.org/10.54691/fn5pab82
  46. Rahimi, M. (2024). Effective Ways of Teaching English as Foreign Language: A Conceptual Paper. Cognizance Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 4, 444-451. https://doi.org/10.47760/cognizance.2024.v04i11.027
  47. Saito, S., & Turner, M. (2025). Language diversity and teaching practices: Japanese high school teachers of English. Asian Englishes, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/13488678.2025.2475717
  48. Sharma, G. & Kumar, R. (2024). English Language Teaching (ELT): Analysing Strategies and Challenges from the Indian Perspective. Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 03, 242-250. https://doi.org/10.59231/SARI7759
  49. Suwannatrai, L., Thumawongsa, N., & Chumpavan, S. (2023). Instructional Methods Used in English Teaching as a Foreign Language (EFL) Classroom Practice at the University Level in Thailand. Rajapark Journal, 17(51), 1–17. Retrieved from https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/RJPJ/article/view/258836
  50. Tkachenko, V., Prysiazhniuk, Y., Verkhovenko, O., & Nenko, Y. (2024). Emotional burnout of Ukrainian teachers in the context of a full-scale invasion. Brazilian Journal of Rural Education, 9, e19043. https://doi.org/10.70860/ufnt.rbec.e19043
  51. Wang, Y. (2025). A Study on the Application and Effectiveness of Interactive Language Teaching in College English Classrooms. English Language Teaching and Linguistics Studies, 7, 16. https://doi.org/10.22158/eltls.v7n2p16
  52. Xie, W. (2025). Research on Student Self Evaluation and Feedback Management System in English Language Teaching. Scientific Journal of Technology, 7, 168-176.
  53. Zapotichna, R. (2024). A Comparative Study of English Language Teaching Approaches and Their Impact on Students’ Employability. Research and Educational Studies, 49-63. https://doi.org/10.32405/2663-5739-2028-8-49-63