Native English-speaking Teachers (NESTs) in the Minority: How Do Three NESTs at a University in Türkiye Perceive Their Professional Identities?

Authors : Magdalena KESKİN

Pages : 92-108

Doi:10.35207/later.1125201

View : 11 | Download : 5

Publication Date : 2022-12-19

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This research paper explored the experiences of three NESTs working at a Turkish university dominated by local ELT practitioners. In-depth interviews with the participants combined with lesson observations were implemented with an aim to gain a deeper understanding into how their professional identities were affected by their working conditions and how they adapted to being the only native English-speaking teachers at their university. The findings showed that the participants’ sense of responsibility and pressure to fit an idealized model of a NEST negatively affected their professional identities. The participants devised several strategies to adapt to their working environment such as modifying cultural content to accommodate for their students\` monocultural background. In addition, their working conditions hindered their ability to establish close ties with their professional community. Further studies in this area can implement a longitudinal design to explore how a similar working context affects the long-term development of NESTs’ professional identities.
Keywords : Teacher identity, NEST identity, English language teaching, Higher education