The Psychometric Properties of the Already-developed Language Teaching Aptitude Scale for Iranian EFL Teachers

Subject Areas :

Fariba Feyzbar ¹ , Leila Akbarpour ² , Firooz Sadighi ³

1 - Ph.D. Candidate, Department of English Language, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of English Language, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
3 - Professor, Department of English Language, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran

Received: 2023-08-06 Accepted : 2023-09-27 Published : 2023-10-01

Keywords: aptitude, Language Teaching, teaching success, Teaching effectiveness,

Abstract :

This study aimed at investigating the psychometric features of the already-developed Language Teaching Aptitude Scale for Iranian EFL teachers. A correlational survey design was used benefiting from Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The study participants consisted of 300 (126 males and 174 females) Iranian EFL teachers who were conveniently selected from different Azad and State universities and various institutes and high schools of Iran. The instrument used for data collection was the already-developed Language Teaching Aptitude Scale for Iranian EFL teachers. This scale consisted of 90 Likert-type items that measured ten subscales (i.e., Good inter-personal behavior, Making students motivated, Time management ability, Recognition of students’ needs, Positive thinking skills, Critical thinking ability, Verbal intelligence, Mastery over different teaching methods, Evaluation skills, and English language proficiency). SPSS and AMOS 26 were employed to analyze the data, using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach’s Alpha test. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, along with alpha coefficients, provided evidence in support of the validity and reliability of the developed scale. Therefore, it can be concluded that the already-developed Language Teaching Aptitude Scale for Iranian EFL teachers can be used in recruiting individuals for the teaching profession so that teachers’ professional development and students’ English achievement are guaranteed.

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