A new trial pilot syllabus adopting a context-based approach to Year 11 and 12 chemistry has been introduced over the last five years in Queensland classrooms in Australia. The term ‘contextual approach’ often means different things to different people. This study analyses interviews with twelve experienced teachers who are currently implementing this
new approach. It reveals firstly that these teachers have a wide range of views about how a context-based approach to chemistry can be implemented; secondly, that the teachers believe a context-based approach makes chemistry more relevant; and thirdly, the teachers faced constraints such as parent/student resistance to change to enact their beliefs for
teaching with a context-based approach. The purpose of the research was to explore teacher beliefs and constraints in implementing a context-based
approach in chemistry.