PanSIG 2025

Teacher agency and autonomy in Japan: Insights from 30 years of experience

17 May 2025, 14:50

25m

BLDG 8/1F-111 (Kanda University of International Studies (神田外語大学))

Practice-oriented Oral Face-to-face presentation Teacher Development B8-111 SAT: Teacher Development & Critical Thinking; SUN: ICLE & TBLT

Speaker

Monika Szirmai (Hiroshima International University)

ABSTRACT

Teacher agency and autonomy are the cornerstones of creativity and job satisfaction (OECD, 2020). Educators who feel restricted by prescribed textbooks and methodologies, without opportunities for consultation, may experience diminished motivation, leading to challenges in engaging students effectively. This, in turn, can result in lower job satisfaction and contribute to the global issue of educators leaving the profession. In Japan, the primary concern lies not in the number of teachers but in improving the quality of the educational environment (Ono, 2024).
The presenter brings over 40 years of teaching experience, including 30 years as a full-time faculty member at two private universities and 22 years as a part-time instructor at a national university in Japan. Following a brief overview of this professional journey, the session will focus on insights into working conditions and institutional expectations in Japanese universities.
The presentation will start with a brief survey to explore the participants’ views on teacher autonomy, followed by a group discussion to share experiences. Key topics will include navigating institutional demands, addressing surface-level intentions versus genuine objectives, and strategies for maintaining professional satisfaction. The presentation will conclude with lessons learned and reflections on the positive aspects of the presenter’s career.

KEYWORDS

teacher agency; teacher autonomy; personal experience; Japan