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From Public Schools to Higher Education: Exploring the Motivational Factors behind Career Transitions of EFL Teachers

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Title: From Public Schools to Higher Education: Exploring the Motivational Factors behind Career Transitions of EFL Teachers
Language: English
Authors: Mohammed Abdullah Alzahrani
Source: Journal of International Students. 2025 15(8):53-76.
Availability: Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jis@ojed.org; Web site: https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/index
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Career Change, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Language Teachers, Professional Autonomy, Student Diversity, Faculty Development, Higher Education, Incentives, Teacher Salaries, Job Security, Reputation, College Faculty, Grants, Retirement Benefits, Teacher Attitudes, Career Development, Barriers, Elementary Secondary Education, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Saudi Arabia
ISSN: 2162-3104
2166-3750
Abstract: This study explores the key factors influencing EFL teachers' transition to higher education, focusing on financial incentives, job security, professional development, and the reputation of academia. A qualitative research study was conducted and data were collected through semistructured interviews with 18 male and female EFL teachers who had moved from school teaching to university positions. The findings showed that higher salaries, professional development grants, pension plans, and financial stability were the main motivators for the transition. However, the transition posed significant challenges, including increased administrative responsibilities, navigating academic hierarchies, and adapting to a new academic culture. Many experienced anxieties about building their academic identity due to research expectations and pressure to publish. Despite these challenges, post-transition experiences were largely positive. The participants reported greater professional autonomy, expanded development opportunities, and increased engagement with student diversity. The findings contribute to understanding teacher career mobility, highlighting both the benefits and barriers of transitioning to university.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1477491
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: From Public Schools to Higher Education: Exploring the Motivational Factors behind Career Transitions of EFL Teachers
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mohammed+Abdullah+Alzahrani%22">Mohammed Abdullah Alzahrani</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+International+Students%22"><i>Journal of International Students</i></searchLink>. 2025 15(8):53-76.
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  Data: Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jis@ojed.org; Web site: https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/index
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  Data: 23
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Secondary+Education%22">Elementary Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Career+Change%22">Career Change</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+%28Second+Language%29%22">English (Second Language)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Learning%22">Second Language Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Instruction%22">Second Language Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Teachers%22">Language Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+Autonomy%22">Professional Autonomy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Diversity%22">Student Diversity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Faculty+Development%22">Faculty Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Incentives%22">Incentives</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Salaries%22">Teacher Salaries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Job+Security%22">Job Security</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reputation%22">Reputation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Faculty%22">College Faculty</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grants%22">Grants</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Retirement+Benefits%22">Retirement Benefits</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Attitudes%22">Teacher Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Career+Development%22">Career Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+Secondary+Education%22">Elementary Secondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Saudi+Arabia%22">Saudi Arabia</searchLink>
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  Data: 2162-3104<br />2166-3750
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study explores the key factors influencing EFL teachers' transition to higher education, focusing on financial incentives, job security, professional development, and the reputation of academia. A qualitative research study was conducted and data were collected through semistructured interviews with 18 male and female EFL teachers who had moved from school teaching to university positions. The findings showed that higher salaries, professional development grants, pension plans, and financial stability were the main motivators for the transition. However, the transition posed significant challenges, including increased administrative responsibilities, navigating academic hierarchies, and adapting to a new academic culture. Many experienced anxieties about building their academic identity due to research expectations and pressure to publish. Despite these challenges, post-transition experiences were largely positive. The participants reported greater professional autonomy, expanded development opportunities, and increased engagement with student diversity. The findings contribute to understanding teacher career mobility, highlighting both the benefits and barriers of transitioning to university.
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  Data: 2025
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  Label: Accession Number
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  Data: EJ1477491
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 23
        StartPage: 53
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Career Change
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: English (Second Language)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Professional Autonomy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Diversity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Faculty Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Incentives
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Salaries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Job Security
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reputation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Faculty
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grants
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Retirement Benefits
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Career Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary Secondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Saudi Arabia
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: From Public Schools to Higher Education: Exploring the Motivational Factors behind Career Transitions of EFL Teachers
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              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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              Value: 2162-3104
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              Value: 2166-3750
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              Value: 15
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