Recruiting World Language Teachers Through Early College Experience Courses

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: Diverse Considérations in Recruiting and Supporting Teachers

Abstract

Recruiting qualified K-12 world language (WL) teachers is a continuing challenge in the U.S. (ACTFL, 2017). While many studies on teacher recruitment focus on the beliefs and dispositions of existing teachers and teacher candidates (e.g., Kissau, Davin, and Wang, 2019; Guarino, Santibañez, & Daly, 2006), little research has been done on the role of recruitment programs. Using survey data from four high school Spanish courses, responses to recruitment-related writing prompts, and focus group discussions, we found a slight increase in student interest in WL education. However, several teaching-related student concerns also surfaced, most notably salary and target language proficiency. We discuss implications for general and WL teacher recruitment, including recommendations for improving recent teacher recruitment initiatives.

Authors

• Michele Back, University of Connecticut - Storrs

• Joseph Dean, University of Connecticut - Storrs