PRAKTIČNI ASPEKTI NASTAVE ENGLESKOG JEZIKA U PRVOM CIKLUSU OSNOVNOŠKOLSKOG OBRAZOVANjA U REPUBLICI SRBIJI – TENDENCIJE I IZAZOVI

The aim of this research is to explore the tendencies in ELT in the first cycle of primary education in Serbia with respect to teaching planning, the choice of teach- ing techniques. Furthermore, we explore the challenges that teachers and students face in the process of English language teaching and learning. A Google Forms questionnaire with both multiple choice and open questions was used as a research instrument. There were 75 English language teachers in our sample. The results have been analysed both quantitatively (in percentages) and qualitatively (analysis and classification of the participants’ responses). The results show that our participants mostly rely on the textbooks and the accom- panying plans and class preparations in writing their own lesson plans. The participants’ responses suggest that the learning process is well adjusted to students’ developmental stage and that it is aligned with the legally prescribed communicative approach in the foreign language teaching. Furthermore, our participants single out the lack of attention as the greatest chal- lenge in working with students, while the hardest teaching areas are: grammar, writing and reading. This research is potentially valuable as a mediator between theory and praxis as it offers a basis for future research and the dialogue between researchers, educators and state representatives with the common aim of raising the quality level of primary education in the Republic of Serbia.