English Language Teachers’ Self-reported Perceptions on TOEFL Preparation Program in Senior High School

This study was conducted based on the fact that most of senior high schools in Aceh have not introduced TOEFL to the students even though TOEFL is important in preparing students’ higher education and future career. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore English language teachers perceptions’ on TOEFL preparation program in senior high school and the challenges as well as their strategies in teaching TOEFL for the students. To achieve this end, a qualitative descriptive design was utilized in this study. The data of this research were collected by using in-depth interview. The participants were six English language teachers who were chosen purposively based on a criterion that they have been teaching TOEFL in senior high school in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar. The result of the data pointed out that all teachers had positive perception toward TOEFL program in senior high school. They believed that TOEFL should be introduced in the first grade to prepare students’ future study and career. Furthermore, in teaching TOEFL, teachers faced some challenges including students’ different language proficiency, students’ lack of vocabulary mastery, students’ fatigue, students’ passive attitude and class size. To deal with all those challenges, teacher implemented some strategies in teaching TOEFL such as administering pre-test, providing basic knowledge of TOEFL, selecting the material, associating the material to the first language, assigning group and pair work, enhancing students’ vocabulary through creating personal glossary, providing interesting videos and conducting post-test.