The interplay of teachers' positive beliefs and practices: an exploratory study through the lens of positive psychology

Abstract

PurposeThe impact of teachers' positive psychology (PP) beliefs on their practices and the consequential influence on teaching processes and learning outcomes has been widely acknowledged. In line with PP in education, this research endeavors to examine the interconnectedness of Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ beliefs and their classroom practices regarding establishing a positive classroom environment.Design/methodology/approachUsing a purely qualitative approach, this study utilizes interviews and classroom observations as methods of data collection. To explore the beliefs of six female teachers and a number of their students, the researchers adapted selected prompts from the “What is happening in this class?” questionnaire developed by Fraser et al. (1996) into interview questions. The researchers also conducted classroom observations to gather information on the teachers' implementation of practices that contribute to a positive classroom environment.FindingsBy triangulating the interview data with the qualitative observations, the findings revealed a discrepancy between the teachers' cognition and their actual classroom practices concerning the establishment of a positive classroom environment. Students’ interviews also revealed the teacher participants' actual practices did not align with their cognitive beliefs.Originality/valueThe findings have significant implications for creating a positive environment in the post-pandemic era, suggesting a need for professional development and support for teachers in aligning their beliefs on positive psychology with their practices through qualitative enquiry.