ERIC Number: EJ1142466
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1354-0602
EISSN: N/A
Teacher Identity Development through Action Research: A Chinese Experience
Yuan, Rui; Burns, Anne
Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, v23 n6 p729-749 2017
This study explores how two language teachers constructed and reconstructed their professional identities through their action research (AR) facilitated by university researchers in China. Informed by the theory of 'community of practice', the findings of the study show that AR exerted a transformative impact on the teachers' identity development. Four distinctive routes of identity change were noted, namely their transformation from "fisherman" to "fishing coach", from "craftsman" to "teacher researcher", from "lonely fighter" to "collaborator", and from "housekeeper" to "change agent". Such change can be attributed to their engagement and practice in different communities of practice. However, the participants' identity development also encountered some contextual obstacles, including the rigid school curriculum, lack of research knowledge, as well as the power dynamics between them and the researchers. Several implications can be drawn for teachers, teacher educators, and school leaders to help teachers construct a solid and robust professional identity in seeking their continuing professional development through AR.
Descriptors: Action Research, Power Structure, Foreign Countries, Professional Identity, Language Teachers, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Change Agents, Communities of Practice, Transformative Learning, Teacher Researchers, Curriculum, Faculty Development, College School Cooperation, Seminars, Workshops, Interviews, Teacher Attitudes, Observation
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A