Emma Bruce and Heléna Stakounis
In March 2020, the UK EAP sector was forced to move their programmes online owing to a nationwide lockdown. In October 2020, BALEAP commissioned two researchers to investigate the emergency changes made to UK EAP delivery and operations in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Initial findings from the mixed-methods study were presented at the BALEAP Conference 2021 and are reported here. Data were collected from managers, administrators, curriculum designers, teachers and coordinators working in the UK EAP sector during the period March to September 2020. Methods employed included an online questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Early analysis using a collaborative approach and consensus coding between the two researchers has revealed challenges, strategies and opportunities that emerged in relation to admissions, registration and online communication, as well as course design and delivery. Preliminary findings indicate that despite the emergency remote teaching (ERT) context and the challenges this brought, UK EAP professionals responded with resilience and determination to embrace opportunities for change.
