Back to Search
Start Over
The Dynamics of Beginning EFL Teachers' Teaching Experiences and Their Emotional Labor from an Activity Theory Perspective
- Source :
-
English Teaching . Sum 2022 77(2):65-86. - Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- This study investigates beginning EFL teachers' emotional labor from the perspective of the Activity Theory. Emotional labor is defined as the process of controlling one's emotions and emotional expressions in accordance with the occupational standards for proper emotional expression. Two beginning EFL teachers at Korean junior high schools were recruited by means of a qualitative research method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed based on Activity Theory. The findings indicate that participants' emotional labor in relation to their students was represented as conflicts in their activity system. Additionally, the resolution of the conflicts could be possible if a teacher can join a new teacher learning community and use new instruments. The results suggest that beginning EFL teachers should be encouraged to be empowered with new instruments such as classroom management skills and teaching practices for handling mixed-level students. These new instruments are expected to prevent students' problem behavior and ease the burden of teachers experiencing emotional labor.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1017-7108 and 2671-9312
- Volume :
- 77
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- ERIC
- Journal :
- English Teaching
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- EJ1353331
- Document Type :
- Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research