Describing Problems Experienced by Spanish Novice Physical Education Teachers

Abstract

The aim of the present study was identify the most significant problems that Spanish novice physical education teachers encountered during their first teaching experiences. A mixed methodology (quantitative and qualitative) was utilized through questionnaires and interviews. The Inventory of Teaching Problems developed by Jordell (1985) was translated, revalidated to physical education and completed by 45 novice teachers. From the entire sample, 6 teachers we randomly selected to be interviewed by the main researcher. The results allowed identifying and emphasizing the following problems: organization and control of the class, the low social status of physical education, the scarcity of material resources and facilities, the relationships, the planning, and the teaching methodology. However, the gender effect was not statistically significant. The results allow suggesting that the establishment of specific, continuing educational programmes for novice teachers seems imperative.