Integration of technology in the teaching and learning process brings innovation where a learning process can be conducted virtually despite time and place boundaries. Online learning as the integration of learning and technology is used as the primary strategy to continue the teaching and learning process due to the Covid-19 outbreak. This study aims to analyze student perceptions of online learning before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research is a descriptive research with a qualitative approach. The results showed that the students had negative and positive perceptions of online learning before and during the pandemic. Before the pandemic, the students emphasized exploring the materials, while the students emphasized flexibility in learning during the pandemic. Meanwhile, negative perceptions are shown through the loss of direct communication between teachers and students. During the pandemic, students emphasized the flexibility aspect of the online learning mode. However, negative perceptions also emerged, namely the abundance of online tasks and the difficulties of using e-learning. Various challenges of online learning were also found during the pandemic compared to before the outbreak. For example in addition to inadequate internet connections and gadgets, anxiety problems due to the workload and less appropriate learning plan also arose. It can be seen that online learning before and during the outbreak experienced dynamics, so teachers and students must be encouraged to be more adaptive in dealing with changes in their learning.

The development of 21st century affects all sectors including the education field. The importance for preparing students with knowledge and skills affects the learning process in this era. Life skills and balanced assessment are the demands in 21st century era. These demands need to be prepared by the teachers since primary education. Therefore, it is important to analyze primary English teachers’ readiness in inserting 21st century skills in terms of lesson planning, teaching and learning process and assessing students’ learning as the important aspect on learning process. This study used embedded mixed method using qualitative description and supported with descriptive quantitative analysis. The subjects of the research were 11 primary English teachers in Denpasar. A questionnaire was used to measure the readiness of the teachers in inserting the skills in the aspects of learning process. The data obtained were calculated and classified into its level of teachers’ readiness. It was found that the teachers perceived themselves as ready in inserting the 21st century skills. This is indicated by 1) their positive responses toward the knowledge about the 21st century skills, 2) they were confident in perceiving their implementation toward 21st century skills, and 3) they were ready in inserting 21st century skills in terms of lesson planning, teaching and learning process and assessing their students’ learning activities. It is expected that the teachers sustain their readiness in inserting the 21st century skills in teaching English for their students at schools.