Abstract

This thesis examines the emerging role of emotional labour in the context of Further Education (FE) colleges in England. These colleges provide Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses of study for Further Education teachers who are training to become qualified practitioners in the English lifelong learning sector. Using four teacher trainees and four teacher trainers, the thesis explores the nature and scope of how emotional labour can impact on teacher trainees’ learning and the well-being of both teacher trainees and teacher trainers in order to investigate how the insights gleaned would help to develop practice in the field of English ITT in English FE. The findings evidenced that when teaching, a relationship can form. This can be a professional relationship or a relationship that exceeds the boundaries of professionalism.
Over a six-month period in 2013/2014 the teacher trainee participants completed an autobiographical life-grid, whilst both trainees and trainers completed a diary and end interview. An exploratory study using two FE colleges and analysis of data using thematic analysis was used to explore the role of emotions in ITT in FE colleges. Two significant findings presented themselves within this thesis. Firstly, the emotional dimensions of a) FE teaching are explored, and b) it is recommended that the support that is given for new teachers in FE in England become an explicit part of the curricula and of staff development in ITT delivery. Secondly, in supporting teaching staff to alleviate the burden of emotional labour, social sharing (i.e. talking about emotional aspects with peers, colleagues) should be encouraged.