The Role of the Directors in Language Schools

Abstract

This study aims at examining the role of directors working at the schools of foreign languages in Turkey. The perceptions of the directors and other administrative staff as well as the teachers, on what directors do and where they focus their attention in a less than effective way were identified. 39 directors and 270 teachers participated in the study. Respondents were asked to identify how much time they or their directors spent on the different areas of management. Their responses were analyzed considering their job titles, experience and educational background both through descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. The results revealed that management is accepted as a challenging job by both groups. Directors stated their desire to focus more on academic issues including professional development of their teachers, curriculum planning, testing and student motivation. Bureaucratic paperwork and having to meet the unrealistic expectations have been identified as their main complaints. It was also revealed that dealing with low motivation levels of students and teachers, lack of support from top administrators and financial restrictions were the main challenges faced. The results of this study imply that directors need support from their higher administration especially regarding human relations and conflict management.

This study aims at examining the role of directors working at the schools of foreign languages in Turkey. The perceptions of the directors and other administrative staff as well as the teachers, on what directors do and where they focus their attention in a less than effective way were identified. 39 directors and 270 teachers participated in the study. Respondents were asked to identify how much time they or their directors spent on the different areas of management. Their responses were analyzed considering their job titles, experience and educational background both through descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. The results revealed that management is accepted as a challenging job by both groups. Directors stated their desire to focus more on academic issues including professional development of their teachers, curriculum planning, testing and student motivation. Bureaucratic paperwork and having to meet the unrealistic expectations have been identified as their main complaints. It was also revealed that dealing with low motivation levels of students and teachers, lack of support from top administrators and financial restrictions were the main challenges faced. The results of this study imply that directors need support from their higher administration especially regarding human relations and conflict management.