On the Influencing Factors of English Majors’ Participation in the “Excellent Teacher Program”

Abstract

About 10,000 normal college students will receive targeted training annually from 2021 in a bid to improve the performance of primary and middle school teachers in underdeveloped areas in China’s central and western regions, according to a recent plan. The special training will be conducted by normal universities directly under the Ministry of Education (MOE). As the first batch of local normal universities to participate in the “Excellent Teacher Training Plan”, Hubei Normal University has undertaken the teacher training work, including English majors. The effectiveness of the scheme will be directly affected by whether the scheme is implemented or not. Therefore, by means of questionnaires and interviews, this study investigated the influencing factors of English majors’ joining of the plan and their willingness to return home upon graduation in Hubei Normal University. Through an analysis of teaching willingness, policy awareness, professional environment, and professional identity, this study attempts to find out the reasons for the differences and proposes corresponding strategies.