Gender and Optimism as Predictors of Novice ESOL Teaching Performance

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Title: Gender and Optimism as Predictors of Novice ESOL Teaching Performance
Author: DeAnna R Sturm; Elizabeth K Conkey; Natalie Nibler; Debi Brannan; Tasha Bleistein
Faculty Sponsor: Debi Brannan
Abstract: Both current and past research examining novice ESOL teachers has focused on issues such as educational background and classroom demographics (Yeo et al., 2008), but little research has focused on potential variables that influences perceived teaching performance. Consequently, the aim of this study is to examine the relationship between gender, optimism, and perceived teaching performance amongst novice ESOL teachers. Graduates from two hybrid TESOL graduate programs (N=47) were sampled and surveyed. Optimism significantly predicted perceived teaching performance, t(43)= 3.17, p=.003 and there was an marginal association between gender and perceived teaching performance, t(43)= -1.92, p=.06. Further analyses indicated that the mean ratings of teaching performance were significantly different between men and women, F(1, 45)= 5.12, p=.03. In sum, our results suggest that gender and optimism are factors in perceptions of teacher efficacy amongst novice ESOL teachers. The findings of this study with optimism, gender, and teaching performance not only add empirical data for this group, but also provides a platform to further examine this unique population.
Description: We would like to acknowledge and thank Darian Simpson for her work reading the paper and Linda Kunze for her assistance.

This research was reviewed
and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Western Oregon University.
Subject: Psychology; TESOL; ESOL; Novice; Performance; Optimism; Gender
Rights: Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/01/2023, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Type: Text
volume: 1
Date Published: 5/29/2012
Note: Debi Brannan
Alternative Title: Gender, Optimism, and Performance
Identifier: pure/vol1/iss1/8
Language: eng