Teachers’ Challenges and Strategies in Teaching English in Junior High School of Rural Area

This study aims to determine the challenges faced by teachers in teaching English in junior high school of rural area in Bandar Pusaka sub-district and the strategies they used to deal with the challenges. This study used qualitative phenomenological approach. The subjects of research were three English teachers in three rural junior high schools in Bandar Pusaka sub-district. In collecting the data, this study used interview, observation, and documentation. In analyzing the data, this study used theory of Miles and Huberman: data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. To trustworthiness of the data, this study used technical triangulation. The results of this study showed that teachers face challenges in teaching English. The challenges were lack of students‟ interest in learning English, lack of student‟s basics English understanding, lack of students‟ vocabulary, limited teaching facilities, and mother tongue interference. Therefore, to cope with these challenges, there were some strategies used by the teachers in teaching English. The strategies were applying various teaching methods, matching students‟ proficiency level and learning situation, and making use of available resources and facilities. Additionally, this study expected can contribute to assisting teachers in developing their professionalism in teaching English in rural areas.