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Teacher Efficacy And Attrition: Helping Students At Introductory Levels Of Language Instruction Appears Critical, Peter B. Swanson

World Languages and Cultures Faculty Publications

Nationally, there is a shortage of foreign language educators, and the rate of attrition in certain areas of the southeastern part of the United States is startling. The researcher investigated foreign language teachers' (N = 463) perceived efficacy teaching languages in Georgia, and findings suggest there is a link between perceived efficacy and Spanish teachers leaving the profession. Specifically, teacher perception of abilities to help students learn at the introductory levels of language study appears to be a predictor of teacher attrition. This research has implications for teacher preparation and induction into the profession. (Contains 4 tables, 1 figure and …