EFL Student Teachers’ Perception Towards Motivations for Choosing An English Teacher as A Career

Abstract

Motivation is an important aspect of people’s lives. Almost everything needs to be done with motivation. With no motivation, people might not have reasons to do or to be something. So does in choosing a career. Dornyei & Ushioda (2001) said that motivation is a motive that moves a person to make certain choices. It means in choosing job, motivation is still needed. Motivation is something that moves someone. This is a motive behind every act that people do or even the option that people choose. The researcher attempts to explain further the research question: “What are EFL student teachers’ perceptions towards motivations for choosing an English teacher as a career?”. Motivation had important roles that affected student teachers’ decision to teach. It is confirmed by some experts and the student teachers’ views. The questionnaires were distributed to the 53 participants from the 2016 and 2015 batches. The findings showed that almost all of the participants were motivated to teach because they had motivation behind their decision. The participants saw that Extrinsic, Intrinsic, and Altruistic influenced their motivation to enter this career. In the Altruistic factor, the participants saw that they were often influenced by their desire and passion for teaching, love in teaching, also willingness to make difference in their students’ lives. In the Intrinsic factors, student teachers saw that they were motivated because of the benefits that the teaching profession may give such as good job fit, and any possible opportunities in the teaching field. Besides, the participants also saw that they were motivated by the benefits that allow them to improve themselves such as Lifelong Learning. The participants also viewed that Extrinsic factors also influenced them. The financial benefit was the one that became the consideration for them to enter the teaching career.