Analyzing occupational stress in EFL teachers. state, subsidiary-state and private schools

Abstract

Nowadays we are living in an increasingly competitive society where all people experience some degree of stress; we understand that phenomenon is a physiological and psychological response to different stimuli that lead to emotional, attitudinal and physical imbalance of subjects, so, is very important the early detection of the external agents that may cause anxiety and thus overcome stadiums which will allow the human being to progress and become integral, since stress as a chemical response is characteristic of all human beings. Everybody fights or runs away from situations which are generated by the rhythm of life and the social environment. “Occupational stress occurs when there is a discrepancy between the demands of workplace and an individual’s ability to carry out and complete these demands. Teaching as a profession also comes under the gamut of stress making it more demanding and challenging every day” (Brown, in Dr. Vipinder, 2013 pág. 2). Teacher’s daily-work is a new challenge, given work-load, no time for fun or other activities in which teachers could spend the day. This industrialized society turns every single human into some kind of “robot” where imperfections are not permitted, forgetting the real human essences. Therefore, nowadays teachers are more stressed than decades ago because mistakes are not allowed for us. Teachers are constantly seeking perfection in their daily work 6performances. The most common indicator of stress personally experienced by teachers no matter gender, age and years of service are; excessive work-load, teaching hours, role ambiguity, poor working conditions, overcrowded classes, uncongenial working environment, scarcity of resources, conflicting peer relations, lack of job security and indifferent students and parent´s behavior. Regarding organizational variables that describe the teaching profession, it is noted that these are oriented to the regulation and compliance of the labor contract, document which defines the teaching duties of teachers in state, semi- private, and private schools. What points to the labor code and teacher status as major regulators where variables such as type of contract, working hours and remuneration are set. Every day teachers face a number of responsibilities not only regarding the teaching profession but also the social sphere, which unconsciously generates a degree of stress. Considering in Chile working conditions for teachers are not favorable considering that education should be invaluable. It should ensure the quality of life of teachers thus creating a more just and decent society. Finally, it is important to name that OECD (The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) is an international organization that appeals to study the various educational events in countries, considering social, economic and cultural aspects of every single country, so it is important that the contrast is generated when this organization evaluates educational progress in order to provide the necessary resources for an improvement in the functional structure of the community considering, both economic growth and social aspect. In the next chapter the reader will find an extensive revision of the literature regarding the subjects matter in question like stress, occupational stress and variables of stress in EFL teachers where are explained in detail.