Vigor, Dedication and Absorption: Work engagement among secondary school English teachers in Indonesia

Abstract This paper investigates the work engagement among a sample of 152 secondary school English teachers in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, sampled from a competency-based integrated training course. Data were collected using the short form of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES 9; Schaufeli et al, 2002). Reliability in the Indonesian context was high (alpha=.91 overall; alphas=.76, .83, .79 respectively, for component vigor, dedication, and absorption subscales). Results suggest that teachers’ work engagement is generally high (overall M=5.04 on the 7-point scale; Ms=4.99, 5.44, 4.71 respectively, for component vigor, dedication, and absorption subscales). Findings are interesting in the context of low student English achievement in this region and implications are suggested in relation to teachers’ continuing professional development and enhancement of student achievement. Key words: work engagement, teachers’ work engagemen