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Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Emotions and motivation to teach english at a brazilian public school

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Since the last decade of the 20th century, scholars have shed light on what motivates teachers in different phases of their careers, in various teaching and learning contexts (DÖRNYEI and USHIODA, 2011; BUTLER, 2014; ALEXANDER, GROSSNICKLE and LIST, 2014; TSUTSUMI, 2014). Alexander, Grossnickle and List (2014) assert that inquiry on teacher motivation is a fertile ground to be deeply explored. Similarly, research on emotions in the educational context is valuable as they can help us better understand the nature, conditions and consequences of the teaching/learning process (HARGREAVES, 2000). However, research on the relationship of both concepts is still scant in Applied Linguistics. Based on studies on teacher motivation (DÖRNYEI e USHIODA, 2011; DÖRNYEI e KUBANYIOVA, 2014; RICHARDSON, KARABENICK, e WATT, 2014) and teacher emotions (ZEMBYLAS, 2002a, 2002b, 2003, 2005; HARGREAVES, 1998, 2000; SUTTON e WHEATLEY, 2003), this study aimed at investigating and understanding an English teacher’s emotions and motivation to teach at a Brazilian public school context, as well as the relationships between these concepts. In order to achieve these aims, the following research questions guided the study: (1) What motivates the teacher to teach English? (2) Which emotions emerge in her teaching? (3) Is there a relationship between her emotions and her motivation to teach English? If so, how does it happen? Two semi-structured questionnaires, a written narrative, a semi-structured interview, classroom observations, field notes, audio recordings, and the teacher’s journal were used as data collection instruments. Data were analyzed according to standards of qualitative research (HOLLIDAY, 2002, PATTON, 2002). Results have suggested that teacher’s main motivation to teach English are her students. Additionally, she experienced antagonistic emotions on a daily basis in the classroom - positive emotions such as empathy, joy and surprise, and negative emotions such as frustration, anger and sadness. These emotions are related to motivation in interactive, dynamic and also dissonant ways. Implications for teacher education were discussed, as well as for research on teacher motivation and emotions in language teaching.

Degree

thesis:*
Grantor dc:publisher
Universidade Federal de Viçosa
Year dc:date.issued
2016

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Andrade, Nilce Carla
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Barcelos, Ana Maria Ferreira

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Acesso Aberto
Language dc:language.iso
eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier.uri
http://www.locus.ufv.br/handle/123456789/9772
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:locus.ufv.br:123456789/9772

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Brazil UFV
Base URL
locus.ufv.br/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Andrade, Nilce Carla. Emotions and motivation to teach english at a brazilian public school. Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2016. http://www.locus.ufv.br/handle/123456789/9772