Emotions that experienced English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers feel about their students, their colleagues and their work

This study examines what contribution emotions make to the professional lives of experienced EFL teachers. Interviews with EFL teachers working in Tokyo universities revealed that the teachers had very positive feelings of emotional warmth regarding students, which they expressed through their identity as carers and moral guides. On the other hand, the teachers expressed their relationships with colleagues and institutions in much more negative emotional terms. Two implications for teacher development are suggested: the need for teachers to talk collaboratively about the emotional impact of teaching, and the need to discuss what the moral purpose of EFL teaching is.

Research highlights
► University EFL teachers in Tokyo were interviewed about emotions in teaching.
► Two ‘positive’ emotions of liking and caring for students were most commonly found.
► Teachers act as ‘moral guides’ to go beyond language teaching.
► The most common ‘negative’ emotion was anger, especially directed at institutions.
► EFL field needs to acknowledge the importance of emotions for teaching.