Choosing Teaching as a Career: Motivations of Pre-service English Teachers in Turkey

Abstract

This study examined the career motivations of pre-service English teachers at a state university in Turkey. For data collection, an adapted version of the Factors Influencing Teaching Choice Scale was used and 207 pre-service teachers were surveyed. The findings revealed that social utility and intrinsic values of teaching were important career motivations for the participants which were followed by ability related beliefs. Both male and female participants were more intrinsically and socially motivated, while male participants had higher ratings for job security and employment possibilities. There was not a statistical difference between first and fourth graders career motivations.