Mexican Teachers of English: Promoting Bilingualism in Complex Times

• In Event: 25.084 - MTCC Roundtable Session Seven
  In Roundtable Session: 25.084-8 - Education Challenges Globally

Abstract

Mexico is confronting major social and economic challenges and teaching has become a difficult profession in this country. The data on which this paper is based draw on a larger qualitative study of Mexican teachers of English. Eighteen teachers described reasons they became teachers, factors that contribute to their commitment to teaching, their goals as educators, and social issues that they consider most important. Mexican teachers of English presented a clear link between students’ academic development and their own social-emotional wellbeing. Teachers held generally positive views regarding their role in supporting their students but felt that social conditions are barriers to access to quality English language education in Mexico. Recommendations for enhancing teachers’ self-efficacy are provided.

Authors

• Ali Borjian, San Francisco State University

• Amado M. Padilla, Stanford University