English Language Teacher Motivation in Sri Lankan Public Schools

Abstract

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Drawing on in-depth qualitative data from fifty-four surveys and five interviews, this study investigated aspects of motivation and demotivation among Sri L ankan English language teachers. The participants included a convenience sample of English teachers currently employed in public schools. The results of the study revealed th a t students themselves, the act of teaching students, and th e prestigious social position for English teachers in Sri L anka are main motivators for teachers. The main demotivators for the participants included limited facilities for teaching and learning in schools, inefficiency of school adm inistration and zonal education offices, difficulties in obtaining teacher transfers, the discrepancy between the English curriculum and students’ English proficiency, and the poor relationship between colleagues. Overall results of the study indicate th at teacher demotivation is a significant issue in Sri L ankan public schools which needs the im mediate attention of the country’s education policy designers and management.