Understanding Professional Challenges Faced by Iranian Teachers of English

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to understand professional challenges faced by Iranian high school teachers of English through exploring their viewpoints. To this end, it benefits from both qualitative and quantitative modes of inquiry. First, grounded theory method was used to conduct some interviews with 20 EFL teachers and members of educational groups in the Education Organization, Shiraz, Iran. After coding the obtained data, a number of concepts and categories were identified and a model was developed. Next, a questionnaire was designed out of the findings of grounded theory procedures. It was filled out by 130 EFL teachers and the collected data was subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results confirmed the existence of educational, social, economic and temporal challenges in the profession. They further revealed that variables of gender, years of experience and educational districts had no significant effects on teachers’ viewpoints. Generally, the current EFL situation has led to teacher burnout. In order to improve the situation, some modifications seem necessary. With regard to this, a number of solutions have been offered at the end of this study.