4.2. Which are the participants’ main reasons to become Primary school English teachers? Which are the most and least motivating factors?
Marian Amengual-Pizarro and Jesus Garcia-Laborda / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 197 ( 2015 ) 589 – 594 593
The second section of the questionnaire asked participants to state their main reasons to become Primary school English teachers. Although different responses were mentioned by participants, the results seem to be in line with those previously presented, highlighting the integrative nature of participants’ motivation towards learning the English language. Thus, the most frequently reported factors express participants’ liking for the English language (‘I like English’, T = 22), as well as for foreign languages and cultures in general (T = 4). It is worth mentioning that three participants expressly indicated that teaching English is the only reason as to why they wanted to become Primary school teachers. At all events, instrumental motivation also had a presence in the participants’ comments, pointing to the vital role English plays in today’s world for different reasons, although mainly relating to their career prospects (T = 18). This includes awareness of the current Balearic Government policy to promote trilingualism (Spanish, Catalan and English) at schools. Moreover, two participants made it clear that they would not have chosen to specialise in English were it not for the ample job opportunities it offers.
Finally, students were also asked to comment on what motivates them the most as prospective English teachers. In this respect, the most frequently mentioned aspects were clearly vocational (i.e. teaching and improving education, love of children) (T = 12) and outnumber those other answers related to more specific aspects of English language teaching. As for the least motivating factors, participants seem to largely complain about the Balearic education authorities being unable to deal with the most pressing problems (T = 7). Results also point to participants being aware of problems perceived to affect the Spanish education system (e.g. lack of motivation among students and the poor social recognition that teaching practitioners enjoy in Spain) (T = 6). Lastly, some students also highlight their perceived low competence in English as a key demotivating factor (T = 4).