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Teacher Efficacy and Attrition: Helping Students at Introductory Levels of Language Instruction Appears Critical
- Hispania
- Johns Hopkins University Press
- Volume 93, Number 2, June 2010
- pp. 305-321
- 10.1353/hpn.2010.a382877
- Article
- Additional Information
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.