Language Learning and Language Teaching: Episodes of lives of six EFL Teachers

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Urmia University

Abstract

Teachers are the most important players of every educational system in different societies; accordingly, understanding their personal reflections may help us gain valuable insights into what it means to be a teacher in a specific cultural and social context. The purpose of this case study was to investigate the life and career of 6 non-native English speaking teachers in state educational systems and private institutes in Iran so that a clear image of EFL teacher’s perceptions on their own language learning, teaching experiences, current conditions and expectations, and their possible attempts to innovate in their classrooms would be obtained. By conducting a series of repeated interviews and observations within the period of one year, the researcher collected the required data and examined them through the process of meaning categorization. The outcomes suggested that most teachers either in state or private schools were not satisfied with their current living status or working conditions. Moreover, they were struggling with lots of de-motivating factors in their career and life due to some external and internal policies imposed by authorities. It is discussed that by giving voice to EFL teachers in Iran, their real status would be revealed and, consequently, some improvements would be made towards their essential needs and expectations.

Keywords

References

Braine, G. (Ed.) (1999). Non-native educators in English language teaching .Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Goodson, I., & Choi, P.L. (2008). Life History and collective memory as methodological strategies: Studying teacher professionalism. Teacher Education Quarterly. Pre publish version.
Hayes, D. (2009 a). Learning language, learning teaching. Regional Language Centre Journal, 40(1), 83-101.
Hayes, D. (2009 b).  Becoming a teacher of English in Thailand. Language Teaching Research, 12,471- 495.
Kvale, S. (1996). Interviews: An introduction to qualitative research interviewing .Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Malm, B. (2001). Teachers’ lives and work in a cultural and historical context: Reflections based on the professional life histories of eight Montessori teachers in Sweden. Malmö University, Sweden. Paper presented at the World Education Fellowship 41st International Conference, Sun City, South Africa, 22-27.
Medgyes, P. (1994). The Non-native Teacher. London: Macmillan press.
Moussu L., & Llurda, E. (2008). Non-native English-speaking English language teachers: History and research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Phillipson, R. (1992). Linguistic Imperialism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Riessman, C.K. (2001). Analysis of personal narratives. In J.F. Gubrium and J.A. Holstein (Eds.), Handbook of interviewing (pp.106-125). London: Sage publications.
Roberts, B. (2002). Biographical research. Buckingham and Philadelphia: Open University Press.
Smith. J. (2010). Agency and female teachers' career decisions: a life history study of 40 women. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 39, 7-20.
Yow, V. R. (1994). Recording Oral History: A Practical Guide for Social Scientists. London: Sage publications.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics