scholarly journals Vietnamese EFL teacher self-efficacy in practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ha Hoang

<p>Research has shown the importance of understanding self-efficacy and teacher self-efficacy. In general, self-efficacy influences humans’ actions in various ways. Efficacy expectations control the degree of effort and persistence that people expend in dealing with obstacles and unexpected situations. These expectations also impact people’s thought patterns and emotional reactions. These influences make self-efficacy a strong determinant of the level of accomplishment that individuals finally attain. For teachers, self-efficacy influences not only their general perception about teaching but also their specific instructional activities.  This research aimed to provide insights into Vietnamese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher self-efficacy at the tertiary level in Vietnam. Firstly, this study collected data in the form of teacher self-efficacy profiles using an adapted version of the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (Tschannen-Moran and Hoy, 2001) and demographic information. Then, it investigated the sources of Vietnamese EFL tertiary teacher self-efficacy and the interaction among these sources. In addition, this study examined the personal, classroom, institutional, and cultural influences on teacher self-efficacy. The research also investigated the relationship between teacher self-efficacy and the teachers’ teaching practices. As teacher self-efficacy closely relates to teacher well-being, teacher burn out, persistence, commitment, and teaching practice and has a close relationship with student outcomes and student motivation, a better understanding of self-efficacy has the potential to improve the teaching and learning English in the research university in Vietnam. A sequential exploratory mixed methods design was selected for this study. The data were collected in two phases. In the quantitative phase, I adapted a validated questionnaire to gather quantitative information about 52 teachers’ self-efficacy profiles across three aspects: managing the classroom, engaging students, and using instructional strategies. In the following qualitative phase, I purposively selected eight teachers with a range of total self-efficacy scores. These teachers came from three groups. They were grouped according to lower, medium and higher total self-efficacy scores from the questionnaire. I interviewed each of these teachers prior to observing their teaching in their class. Then, the teachers were interviewed again about particular incidents in their class with a focus on recalling what influenced their actual teaching. Data from both interviews were collated and analyzed thematically across each group to address the research questions.  This study has provided a view of the self-efficacy of EFL teachers, a distinctive subject at the tertiary level in Vietnam. The research found that the results from Tschannen-Moran and Hoy’s (2001) scale measuring teacher self-efficacy were not linked to how each group of teachers performed in their classes. Individual elements such as teachers’ personal characteristics and knowledge, classroom and institutional issues like class size and availability of classroom equipment influenced the teachers’ self-efficacy in their classroom practices. Self-efficacy was also influenced by institutional policies about professional and personal collegiality, the autonomy of the teachers to make decisions about matters such as assessment, and student and staff feedback about teaching. Self-efficacy was also impacted by Vietnamese cultural elements such as teachers’ roles outside of their profession and how the teachers evaluated feedback about their teaching from students, colleagues and administrators. This study highlights the dynamic interaction among the sources of teacher self-efficacy.  The findings have implications for enhancing teacher self-efficacy, by improving teacher knowledge, providing relevant professional development, and increasing support from administrators. There are recommendations for future research.</p>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ha Hoang

<p>Research has shown the importance of understanding self-efficacy and teacher self-efficacy. In general, self-efficacy influences humans’ actions in various ways. Efficacy expectations control the degree of effort and persistence that people expend in dealing with obstacles and unexpected situations. These expectations also impact people’s thought patterns and emotional reactions. These influences make self-efficacy a strong determinant of the level of accomplishment that individuals finally attain. For teachers, self-efficacy influences not only their general perception about teaching but also their specific instructional activities.  This research aimed to provide insights into Vietnamese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher self-efficacy at the tertiary level in Vietnam. Firstly, this study collected data in the form of teacher self-efficacy profiles using an adapted version of the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (Tschannen-Moran and Hoy, 2001) and demographic information. Then, it investigated the sources of Vietnamese EFL tertiary teacher self-efficacy and the interaction among these sources. In addition, this study examined the personal, classroom, institutional, and cultural influences on teacher self-efficacy. The research also investigated the relationship between teacher self-efficacy and the teachers’ teaching practices. As teacher self-efficacy closely relates to teacher well-being, teacher burn out, persistence, commitment, and teaching practice and has a close relationship with student outcomes and student motivation, a better understanding of self-efficacy has the potential to improve the teaching and learning English in the research university in Vietnam. A sequential exploratory mixed methods design was selected for this study. The data were collected in two phases. In the quantitative phase, I adapted a validated questionnaire to gather quantitative information about 52 teachers’ self-efficacy profiles across three aspects: managing the classroom, engaging students, and using instructional strategies. In the following qualitative phase, I purposively selected eight teachers with a range of total self-efficacy scores. These teachers came from three groups. They were grouped according to lower, medium and higher total self-efficacy scores from the questionnaire. I interviewed each of these teachers prior to observing their teaching in their class. Then, the teachers were interviewed again about particular incidents in their class with a focus on recalling what influenced their actual teaching. Data from both interviews were collated and analyzed thematically across each group to address the research questions.  This study has provided a view of the self-efficacy of EFL teachers, a distinctive subject at the tertiary level in Vietnam. The research found that the results from Tschannen-Moran and Hoy’s (2001) scale measuring teacher self-efficacy were not linked to how each group of teachers performed in their classes. Individual elements such as teachers’ personal characteristics and knowledge, classroom and institutional issues like class size and availability of classroom equipment influenced the teachers’ self-efficacy in their classroom practices. Self-efficacy was also influenced by institutional policies about professional and personal collegiality, the autonomy of the teachers to make decisions about matters such as assessment, and student and staff feedback about teaching. Self-efficacy was also impacted by Vietnamese cultural elements such as teachers’ roles outside of their profession and how the teachers evaluated feedback about their teaching from students, colleagues and administrators. This study highlights the dynamic interaction among the sources of teacher self-efficacy.  The findings have implications for enhancing teacher self-efficacy, by improving teacher knowledge, providing relevant professional development, and increasing support from administrators. There are recommendations for future research.</p>


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Aaron Blocher-Rubin ◽  
Paige Krabill

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) is an effective treatment for children with autism. However, it is known that some parents struggle to fully implement the program, and providers are not always able to identify the specifics of each family’s individualized challenges. The purpose of this pilot study was to begin the process of developing a new instrument, the EIBI Parental Self-Efficacy (EPSE) Scale, to help providers better assess and assist parents in regard to EIBI implementation. The methodology included four phases: scale construction, expert review, pretest administration, and a large sample pilot study (N = 192). The final 29-item EPSE Scale contained strong reliability properties (Cronbach’s alpha = .900). Factor analysis established five subscales: Family Well-Being, Preparing for Successful Sessions, Team Participation, Not Giving Up, and Working with your Child. Following this pilot study, future research is recommended to refine and validate the EPSE Scale as a useful clinical tool for EIBI providers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1422-1439
Author(s):  
Maria Luisa Indiana ◽  
Elisabetta Sagone ◽  
Salvatore Luciano Orazio Fichera

The main purpose of this cross-sectional study, carried out with deaf parents and blind parents, is to analyze the association of coping strategies, life satisfaction, well-being, and generalized self-efficacy, compared to a group of parents without a sensory loss. The Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced, Satisfaction with Life, Generalized Self-efficacy, and Psychological Well-Being scales were applied. Results indicate that: (1) deaf parents and blind parents search for social support, use avoidance, and turn to religion more than those without a sensory loss; (2) deaf parents are more satisfied with life than blind parents and those without a sensory loss; (3) deaf parents and blind parents perceive themselves as less efficacious than those without a sensory loss; (4) deaf parents and blind parents report lower psychological well-being (autonomy and personal growth) than those without a sensory loss, except for self-acceptance. Searching for social support and turning to religion are negatively associated with life satisfaction in deaf parents and those without a sensory loss; further, these coping strategies (together with avoidance) affect the psychological well-being of deaf parents and parents without a sensory loss. Future research could investigate deeper into the effects of these dimensions on well-being and the styles of parenting in these families.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Zhang ◽  
Chunyang Zhao ◽  
Yuqiao Xu ◽  
Shanhuai Liu ◽  
Zhihui Wu

Teachers play an important role in the educational system. Teacher self-efficacy, job satisfaction, school climate, and workplace well-being and stress are four individual characteristics shown to be associated with tendency to turnover. In this article, data from the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018 teacher questionnaire are analyzed, with the goal to understand the interplay amongst these four individual characteristics. The main purposes of this study are to (1) measure extreme response style for each scale using unidimensional nominal response models, and (2) investigate the kernel causal paths among teacher self-efficacy, job satisfaction, school climate, and workplace well-being and stress in the TALIS-PISA linked countries/economies. Our findings support the existence of extreme response style, the rational non-normal distribution assumption of latent traits, and the feasibility of kernel causal inference in the educational sector. Results of the present study inform the development of future correlational research and policy making in education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 956-965
Author(s):  
Raga Driyan Pratama ◽  
Lies Amin Lestari ◽  
Syafi’ul Anam

Indonesian EFL teachers are currently facing many oppressive burdens regarding their profession. They are commanded to conduct effective English teaching as part of their pedagogical responsibility including constructing an English milieu at school. In other sides, they are required to cope with non-pedagogical tasks which are likely in a form of administrative things. Moreover, they are mandated to conduct several events and publish papers in accredited journals, of which those tasks can seize up their teaching responsibilities. Such phenomena can tragically cause the presence of teacher burnout that further shrinks their eagerness to perform better. The condition might also influence their self-willingness to commit with teacher absenteeism or even an early retirement as a result of teachers’ handling-capacity overload. Therefore, this study proposes a theoretical contribution that reinforcing teacher self-efficacy can be a penetration to make a robust teachers’ eagerness to perform better pedagogical and non-pedagogical responsibilities. This study is also supplemented with a teacher professional development model as an effort to reinforce teacher self-efficacy. Further, this study is expected to come in useful for Indonesian government to effectively hold certain programs in connection with enhancing Indonesian EFL teacher self-efficacy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annita Gibson ◽  
Richard Hicks

The uncertainty of today’s working environment, including prevalence of temporary employment conditions in many industries, has affected the psychological well-being of people in the workforce. Psychological well-being affects all aspects of a person’s life, including: pleasure, job satisfaction and fulfilment, and life meaning (Seligman, 2002). Previous studies have investigated how Psychological Capital (PsyCap) and Core Self-evaluations (CSE) are positively related to job satisfaction and performance, but there is little research on the relationships of PsyCap and CSE with psychological well-being (PWB). This present study explored the relationships among PsyCap, CSE, and PWB in a convenience workplace sample of 121 Australian working adults. Results revealed that both PsyCap (involving hope, optimism, resilience and self-efficacy) and CSE (involving evaluations of one’s own locus of control, self-esteem, generalised self-efficacy, and adaptive vs ‘neurotic’ behaviour) were separately positive predictors of wellbeing, consistent with previous studies. There were overlaps in concepts but both PsyCap and CSE together predicted higher levels of well-being than either alone, and CSE was found to be a partial mediator between PsyCap and well-being indicating that both elements were needed in prediction of well-being. Practical implications include that PsyCap and CSE measures can be used together in the workplace in assessment, selection, training and development to help improve the quality of health and well-being of employees.  Limitations and future research directions are indicated.


2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad

Purpose – This study aims to identify the status of occupational stress among a sample of hospital employees in Iran. It further intended to reveal the harmful effects of occupational stress on employees’ health and well-being. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a cross-sectional research design. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data from hospital employees. Findings – Job-related, working environment, interpersonal and organisational factors were related to occupational stress. One-fourth of employees rated their occupational stress high. The major sources of occupational stress were inadequate pay, inequality at work, too much work, staff shortage, poor recognition and promotion, time pressure, job insecurity and lack of management support. High levels of occupational stress have been linked to an increased risk of physical injuries, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, depression and increases in negative personal behaviours such as anger, anxiety and irritability. Occupational stress was positively associated with employees’ turnover intentions. Research limitations/implications – The findings of this study are not generalisable to the wider population of hospital employees in Iran due to the small sample size. Thus, future research should involve additional samples. Practical implications – The study has practical relevance for designing and implementing strategies to decrease occupational stress among hospital employees. Originality/value – This article contributes to health care theory and practise by identifying factors contributing to employees’ occupational stress and examining the association between occupational stress and two important employee outcomes – health status and turnover intention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48
Author(s):  
Kathrine Hadley ◽  
Joanna Morrissey

Strength training has many benefits, both affective and physical health-related. However, little research has been done on the psychological constructs that play an important role in exercise adherence, maintenance, and outcomes regarding strength training specifically. The purpose of this study was to examine self-efficacy (SE), perceived competence (PC), and outcome expectancy (OE), several of the key psychological constructs, as predictors of strength gains in a strength training course. It was hypothesized that the changes in participants’ measures of SE, PC, and OE from baseline to post-training would predict participants’ actual strength gains, but not the levels of SE, PC, and OE at baseline and post-training independently. Participants (n=20; 50% 20-21 years old, 40% 22-24 years old, 10% 25 years or older; 60% female, 40% male; 45% Caucasian, 30% Hispanic/Latino, 20% multiracial, 5% Asian/Pacific Islander) in a 15-week strength training technique (STT) course completed a battery of psychological questionnaires assessing SE, PC, and OE in addition to fitness tests consisting of a vertical jump test, an estimated one repetition maximum bench press and a back squat at baseline, mid- and post-training. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to examine differences in SE, PC, and OE at baseline, mid-, and post-training. Spearman correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the predictive specificity of baseline, mid-, post-training levels, and changes in SE, PC, and OE on strength gains. ANOVA results show a significant time effect, as there was a significant increase in all three variables over time, suggesting that course participation increased students’ SE, OE, and PC about strength training. Baseline scores, post-training scores, and changes in SE, PC, and OE were not significant predictors of changes in strength or power scores. These results suggest that while an instructor-led STT course may increase SE, OE, and PC for individuals with varying strength training experience and positively influence college students’ well-being, these psychological constructs may not predict strength gains. Future research should examine possible predictive factors for strength training outcomes in larger, more heterogeneous populations. KEYWORDS: StrengthTraining; Self-Efficacy; Perceived Competence; Outcome Expectancy; Psychological Constructs; Kinesiology; Strength and Conditioning; Resistance Training


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon C. Hunter

Conflicting results from published school-based anti-bullying initiatives have prompted psychologists to suggest that advances in tackling bullying will rely upon developing a greater understanding of the psychological processes underpinning bullying behaviour. This thesis aimed to address this issue by attempting to clarify the coping processes engaged in by pupils experiencing peer aggression or bullying. In order to achieve this aim, pupils’ use of coping strategies was examined within a transactional coping framework, where coping was conceptualised as a dynamic interaction between the person and their environment. Participants were 837 pupils (318 P5s, 306 S1s, 213 S2s; 48.4% male) attending mainstream Primary and Secondary schools in Scotland. Pupils completed a range of measures, at five different points in time, over a period of approximately 18 months. Variables measured at more than one data point included victimisation, appraisals (threat, challenge, control), coping strategy use, and psychological well-being (depression, self-esteem). Variables measured once included sociometric status of P5 pupils, self-efficacy of S1 and S2 pupils, bullying behaviour and emotional reaction to peer aggression.Five separate studies are reported, each focusing on a different aspect of the coping process: the stability and persistence of bullying; how pupils cope with different types of bullying; how pupils’ appraisals, emotions and coping strategies are related; the self-efficacy and hostile attribution biases of pupils involved in bully-victim problems; and the efficacy of coping strategies for maintaining psychological well-being and preventing subsequent bullying. Findings support the utility of the transactional coping model for examining coping among bullied pupils, and highlight the need to incorporate appraisals of, and emotional reactions to, bullying when researching coping responses. Furthermore, results indicate that different types of bullying are coped with in different ways, and that a “vicious circle” may operate where by victimisation leads to further victimisation. Such findings are discussed in relation to their potential impact upon future intervention strategies, while suggestions for future research examining pupils’ coping strategies are also considered.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-76
Author(s):  
Nrusingh Prasad Panigrahy ◽  
Rabindra Kumar Pradhan ◽  
Lalatendu Kesari Jena

Engaging in behavior that enhances the socio-psychological relations at the workplace provides a competitive advantage to organizations. Drawing from the emerging positive organizational behavior studies, the present research was designed to analyze the relationship between self-efficacy and resilience to promote workplace well-being. The main aim of the study was to examine the moderating role of resilience between self-efficacy and workplace well-being. About 527 full-time executives from the Indian public and private manufacturing industries participated in the study. Common method variance of the measure was carried out through one-factor test ( Podsakoff et al., 2003 ) using confirmatory factor analysis to understand the bias in responding to our questionnaire. Finally, we carried out a hierarchical regression analysis to test the interacting effect of resilience between self-efficacy and workplace well-being. The result of the study indicates a positive relationship between self-efficacy and workplace well-being. The moderation effect of resilience was also confirmed in the structural equation modeling output through LISREL. Results revealed that executives having higher self-efficacy and resilience will demonstrate a positive attitude toward workplace well-being. Self-efficacy and resilience are malleable in nature and get enriched through observation and learning. This study stands as one of the first few empirical works in positive organizational behavior studies that have been carried out on executives of manufacturing organizations in India. Hence, the findings of the study cannot be generalized beyond manufacturing organizations. The data are collected through random sampling method, hence due care need to be taken while generalizing the result in a larger population, so future research may be carried out on a large sample in diverse organizations and locations to have an appropriate comparison by addressing the effectiveness of resilience on other behavior constructs.


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