Female english teachers’ identity construction: A case of dalits

Abstract

This research entitled Female English Teachers’ Identity Construction:A Case of Dalits. Identity is one of the most basic reference points that we organize and evaluate our relationships with the world, past,present and future. Identity is the most subjective experienceof human.Th estudy aimedat exploring theways female teachers construct their identities andexamine their professional development in relation to support and obstacles. I adopted the narrative inquiry asa research design. I used purposive sampling procedure for my research study.The participants of the study were four Dalit female teachers fromMelamchi Municipality, Sindhupalchok, Nepal.The interview was used as the tool for data collection.I analyzed the data analytically and interpretatively. The study showed that Dalit female teachers faced several challenges,dilemmas and tension related tosocial and gender issues. Thus, gender and social inequality and discrimination at home and institution made them feel depressed and marginalized. Consequently,Dalit female teachers didnot have significant spaces for sharing their stories with other teachers.It was found from the story that the participants were encouraged or supported by the family/ institution and societal environment eacher community of practice was essential for their sound personal and viii professional growth andself-confidence and struggle is very important to construct identity. The present study consists of five chapters. Chapter one is an introductory chapter. It includes background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions, significance of the study, delimitation of the study and operational definitions of the key terms.Secondly, chapter twodeals with review of the related theoretical literature, review of the related empirical review, implication of the review and conceptual framework.Similarly,chapter three includes design of the study, population, sample and sampling strategy, research tools, sources of data, data collection procedures, ethical consideration.Likewise, chapter four presents the analysis and interpreted of the results. Finally,chapter five includes the findings, conclusionsand implicationsof the study.The last sectionof this research includes the references and appendices.