AN INVESTIGATION OF STUDENT BULLYING TOWARDS ENGLISH INSTRUCTORS ON THE BASIS OF THE INSTRUCTORS’ PERCEPTIONS

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of English instructors at universities in terms of being the targets of student bullying. At this research, one of the qualitative research methods; “phenomenological” design was applied to investigate the relevant phenomenon. In order to collect data, semi-structured interview forms were prepared in the light of relevant literature review. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 15 English Instructors working at the School of Foreign Languages of one state university located on the European side of Istanbul. The collected data was coded under specific themes and subjected to content analysis. The research findings suggest that English instructors are mostly exposed to verbal student bullying. They are not exposed to physical student bullying at all. Usually only one student displays the bullying behaviour towards the instructor and this behaviour can be eliminated by the instructor relatively easily. However, in some cases when the class dynamics make it possible for the instructor to be exposed to the bullying of one group of students or the whole class, it becomes more difficult to be able to end the prevalence of this behaviour. English instructors have the perception that student behaviours putting them in a difficult situation and interrupting the flow of the lesson can be considered as “teacher-targeted bullying”. At this point, they believe that “intention” of students is the determining factor in deciding whether the behaviour is bullying or not. When the English instructors are exposed to teacher-targeted bullying, their motivation decreases, their professional self esteem declines, job performance and job satisfaction are reduced. Their interaction with students in class weakens, their tension and stress levels increase. They reckon that they become more susceptible to teacher-targeted bullying when they are not supported by their institution so they expect to be supported by the administration especially by taking preventive actions against teacher-targeted bullying within the institution.

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English instructors , university students , teacher , targeted bullying

Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi

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Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi