FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS' MOTIVATION: A STUDY IN ITALY

Abstract

A considerable amount of literature has been published on foreign language learners’ motivation while, although it is acknowledged that teachers play a crucial role in handling students’ motivation and it is proved that motivated teachers positively influence learners’ engagement in the learning process, far too little attention has been paid to language teachers’ motivation. This quantitative research is an attempt to explore foreign language teachers’ motivation in Italy. The study was conducted in the form of a survey, with data being gathered through an online questionnaire. Specifically, on the one hand, it has been investigated initial job motivation by asking teachers to indicate reasons for choosing their career. On the other hand, as we think that the match between values and rewards may impact on motivation, we have asked to indicate what values and what rewards are considered to be important for their teaching career. Eventually, values and rewards have been grouped into specific factors in order to highlight the possible cores of foreign language teachers’ motivation.