Exploring Language Teacher Efficacy in Japan

By (author) Gene Thompson

Publication date:

14 May 2020

Publisher

Multilingual Matters

Dimensions:

234x156mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781788925396

This book examines language teacher efficacy beliefs, focusing on the individual and collective beliefs of Japanese high school teachers. It discusses personal and collective dimensions of language teacher efficacy related to personal second language (L2) capability, instructional L2 efficacy and collective capability towards collaboration. The book provides a detailed discussion about the ways in which these beliefs develop and situates the findings within the wider field of teacher efficacy research. It helps further understanding of factors that may influence teacher self-efficacy and suggests new directions for research to explore in future studies. It will appeal to postgraduates and researchers with an interest in language teacher cognition, the psychology of language teaching and those in the wider fields of self-efficacy, teacher efficacy and teacher agency. It is also of use to those with an interest in the high school English education system in Japan, as well as researchers investigating similar contexts.

Gene Thompson deserves great credit for this thoughtful and illuminating exploration of language teacher efficacy (LTE) beliefs in Japan. Strengths of the volume include Thompson’s deep engagement with and theorizing from the literature, his awareness of how to investigate LTE beliefs in a principled way, and his clear, insightful analysis. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.