Being transformed and transforming oneself in a time of change : A study of teacher identity in second language education for adults

This paper takes a perspective on professional identity in times of change to explore what societal changes of significance for second language education for adults mean for the teacher’s professional identity. It differs, thus, from many other studies on teacher identity, which concentrate on one educational reform. The study, which applies situated learning theory, is built on semi-structured interviews with 13 teachers in this sector. The results show that migration, marketization and streamlining, and digitalisation imply changes, which have a profound effect on the teachers. Whereas some changes mean that the teachers can develop their teaching or strengthen their position in work-related communities, other changes restrict them. Moreover, the response of the teachers depends on their judgement about what the changes mean for their teaching and the learners. Teachers position themselves by, for example, claiming to possess the competence they see as essential to meet the learners’ needs