NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
ERIC Number: ED651624
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 94
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3822-2474-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Why Have All the Teachers Gone? An Action Research Investigation into the Causes of Teacher Departures from the Field of Adult English Language Learning, and the Viability of Ongoing Professional Development as a Solution for Career Persistence
Bonnie Veronico
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northeastern University
This study aimed to investigate the reasons for low enrollments in a related teacher preparation program alongside seemingly high attrition rates among instructors in the field of teaching English to adults and determine if any solution could be found to encourage people to not only enter the field but persist in the career. A review of current research uncovered systemic issues with funding and regulations creating a career that is treated more like a gig. Participants and data collected in Cycle 1 consisted of interviews with people who had taught English to adults in the past but had chosen to leave the classroom for other careers. Interviewees shared their reasons for leaving the field and views on what could have kept them in the field teaching. Action steps including developing a professional development event targeted at people in or interested in the field of teaching English to adults were designed, implemented, and evaluated in Cycle 2 to confirm if such events were desired by professionals and could provide useful information, potentially acting as a resource to support career interest and persistence. Findings included high value for holding a qualification like a master's degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), a desperate need for professional development opportunities targeted at instructors working with adult populations, and evidence that transparent sharing of challenges in the field is not enough to turn people away from the career and could even increase interest. Implications for the organization included acknowledgement that the current program does not support social justice skills necessary for teachers working with vulnerable populations, plans to create an annual professional development event, and suggestions for more targeted electives to provide additional relevant knowledge to current students and attract competitor program students to boost enrollment and ensure such electives can be offered. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A