Mentoring Role of Senior Colleagues in Professional Socialization of Beginning English Teachers in Pakistan

Abstract

This study explores the mentoring role of senior colleagues in the professional socialization process of beginning English teachers. The study has employed the survey method for generating the required data from a randomly chosen stratified sample from the colleges located in the Punjab province and the capital city Islamabad, Pakistan. A valid questionnaire measuring the constructs under investigation was used for data collection, the results of which were then statistically evaluated using both descriptive and inferential analysis techniques. It was found that senior colleagues had an effective mentoring role in the successful professional socialization of beginning English teachers. However, the study results also highlighted some issues related to workgroup relationship of senior colleagues and principals. The study would help the beginning teachers to understand better and thus strengthen their working relationships with their senior colleagues. This would ultimately lead towards a successful teaching career