Cinnamon KTJ16(2)

Cinnamon, A. (2021). The Native English-Speaking Teacher as an Agent and a Professional: A Reflection on Current Research and Paths Forward. Korea TESOL Journal, 16(2)(1), 77-99.

Abstract: Native English-speaking teachers (NESTs) occupy an often contested position within the Korean public school system; however, every year programs such as English Program in Korea (EPIK) continue to hire new NESTs from English-speaking countries. Despite the fact that NESTs have been working in Korean public schools for over two decades, research studies regarding the NEST and their lived experiences continue to be few in number, particularly those that explore their conceptualization of professionalism and agency. To the best of this researcher’s knowledge, NEST-related literature also has yet to be synthesized in a comprehensive literature review. This integrative literature review is intended to help to fill this gap and to provide suggestions for future empirical research studies. This review analyzes eighteen empirical research studies and synthesizes current findings under the conceptual framework of the NEST as an agent and a professional. Findings assert that there are a number of barriers that may have a negative effect on NEST development as professionals and agents, with many of these barriers systemic and contextual in nature. This review concludes with implications for future research and suggestions for paths forward, which include not only potential topical areas for empirical research studies but also a suggestion for disseminating research so that it reaches a wider audience.

Keywords: native English-speaking teacher (NEST), professionalism, teacher agency, native-speakerism, English language teaching (ELT)

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