An Investigation of Search for Meaning, Presence of Meaning, and EFL Teaching: Cases of Experienced and Novice Iranian EFL Teachers

This case study examines the search for meaning, the presence of meaning, and their impact on teaching as a profession among experienced and novice Iranian EFL teachers. Criterion sampling was used to select 10 EFL teachers (five experienced and five novice teachers) aged 20 to 44. The instruments used were the online focus group interviews and online daily diaries. Analysis of data collected using thematic analysis revealed that these two groups of teachers experienced similarities and differences in the search for meaning and presence of meaning affecting their teaching as a profession. Researchers also observed differences between teachers’ global meaning and day-to-day meaning. Whereas the experienced teachers in both focus group interviews and daily diaries focused on the sense of responsibility, the novice teachers were more different in their answers. In their general sense, the novice teachers’ teaching centered on generating the opportunity for learners to find their own voice and discover their true self and in their daily meaning, they mainly focused on interaction and communication. This result may indicate that novice teachers are more dynamic and more flowing. Further findings and implications are discussed in the paper.