Impact of the Political, Economic, and Educational Contexts on Life Stories of Taiwanese EFL Teachers

Abstract

Although numerous research projects have examined the lives of general education teachers, relevant studies in ESL/EFL are rare. The present study intends to fill this research gap, focusing on Taiwanese EFL teachers’ perceptions of the impact of the political, economic, and educational contexts on their lives. Thirty-eight EFL teachers in Taiwan, from diverse backgrounds, were involved in the study. Results showed that political contexts, such as divergent ideologies, and Taiwan’s capricious cross-strait relations with China, had influenced teachers’ careers. Economic contexts such as the economic depression, the M-shaped income distribution, and the relocation of labor-intensive industries to China have caused certain English language teaching markets to shrink and have had an impact on the life stories of EFL teachers. Educational contexts including the boom in universities and teacher education programs have also altered EFL teachers’ career paths. Overall, this study demonstrates that external contexts significantly affect some EFL teachers’ lives. More research can be conducted in different countries to shed light on this issue.