Examining the Wellbeing of In-Service EFL Teachers in a Spanish Context
Análisis del bienestar de los docentes de inglés en un contexto español
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15446/profile.v26n1.105783Keywords:
secondary education, second language instruction, English language teachers, teacher burnout, teacher welfare (en)bienestar docente, educación secundaria, enseñanza de lenguas, profesores de inglés, síndrome del desgaste profesional (es)
This paper aims to extend our understanding of the factors underlying teacher wellbeing and the stress-coping mechanisms that professionals from the field use in their daily lives. The study focuses on the point of view of EFL teachers working in Andalusia, the southern region of Spain. Through semi-structured interviews and using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory for the content analysis of data, the project identifies the primary sources of distress and growth that participants link to their profession. Key among them are emotional competence, the school environment, legislation, and boundaries. The study also pinpoints the main stress-coping strategies participants were already implementing in their lives to fight against feelings of burnout. Especially relevant is the practice of hobbies, professional training, and establishing boundaries.
Este artículo pretende ampliar nuestro conocimiento acerca de los factores subyacentes al bienestar docente y sobre los mecanismos que estos profesionales usan para lidiar con el estrés. Se analizan estos aspectos desde la perspectiva de los profesores de inglés de Andalucía, región sur de España. Mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas y usando la teoría ecológica de Bronfenbrenner para el análisis de contenido de los datos, el proyecto identifica las fuentes de malestar y bienestar que los participantes ligan a su profesión. Entre ellas, destacan la competencia emocional, el ambiente escolar, la legislación y los límites. Además, se enumeran las estrategias implementadas por los participantes para combatir el síndrome de desgaste profesional. Son especialmente relevantes las actividades deportivas, el desarrollo profesional y los límites.
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