Uncertain identities of non-higher-education-based EFL teacher educators: a third space theory perspective |
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Authors: | Hong Zhang Rui Yuan |
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Institution: | 1. National Research Centre for Foreign Language Education, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, Chinacrystalsmile630@126.com;3. Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACTAlthough research on teacher educators’ identities has received increasing attention in recent years, non-higher-education-based teacher educators’ professional identities are still under-researched. Informed by the third space theory perspective, this paper presents a study that investigated 139 non-higher-education-based English as a foreign language (EFL) teacher educators’ identities through the lens of metaphors. An analysis of the metaphors revealed four types of identities, namely, the willing communicators, the discontented jack-of-all-trades and master of none, the struggling professional leaders, as well as the caring supporters. These terms capture the participants’ self-images and specify their obligations and responsibilities as teacher educators. The paper concludes with some implications for teacher educators’ preparation and continuing development. |
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Keywords: | Non-higher-education-based teacher educators teacher educator identity third space metaphor |
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