Every aspect of human life, including society and its institutions, was tremendously impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Academic institutions across all levels faced unprecedented shifts and challenges, against which many teachers and institutions showed strong resilience by adopting various survival strategies with a view to continuing education during the challenging times. The study sought to identify the strategies that secondary school English language teachers in Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Nepal implemented during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods. Following a Comparative Case Study (CCS) research model, this multi-dimensional examination drew on data from 35 participants (n = 35) collected via extended textual responses and follow-up interviews to explore the trans-border ELT professionals’ survival strategies in addressing the challenges of teaching and learning throughout the pandemic and beyond. The findings based on the data analysis using MaxQDA revealed five broad strategies and coping mechanisms: (i) enriching teaching and learning experience, (ii) addressing mental well-being, (iii) enhancing relationships and networks, (iv) providing infrastructural assistance, and (v) providing options for alternative assessments. These strategies are still relevant as some of the challenges still remain valid to date