From teachers to researchers: A phenomenological study of Indonesian EFL teachers' research experiences

Junaidi Mistar, Rulam Ahmadi, Hamiddin and M. Faruq Ubaidillah
Universitas Islam Malang, Indonesia

While research has the potential to improve teaching practices and instructional decision-making, the shift from classroom practitioner to researcher remains underexplored in academia, particularly within secondary school contexts. Guided by Schön's (1983) reflective practice and Yazan's (2024) language teacher identity frameworks, this study addresses the gap by examining the personal and contextual experiences of Indonesian EFL teachers involved in research activities. The data were obtained through in-depth interviews with three Indonesian EFL teachers who are currently enrolled in a masters program in English language education at a private university in Indonesia. The findings indicate that teachers, especially those with a literature-oriented background, underwent substantial conceptual and practical adjustments when moving from teaching roles to educational research. Many participants initially faced challenges stemming from limited familiarity with research methodologies, academic reading, and scholarly writing. Major constraints included time pressures, insufficient institutional support, and difficulties in adhering to academic writing conventions. Nevertheless, participation in research activities contributed to a more profound understanding of classroom practices, enhanced critical reflection, and sustained professional development. Moreover, research engagement allowed teachers to remain up to date with contemporary pedagogical developments, facilitating a transformation in professional identity from routine instructors to reflective, research-engaged educators. The findings suggest the transformative role of research in reshaping EFL teachers' professional identities and self-understandings within educational settings.
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Authors: Dr Junaidi Mistar is a Professor in the Department of English Language Education, Universitas Islam Malang, Indonesia. His research focuses on teacher professional development and language learning strategies. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4421-6474 Email: j.mistar@unisma.ac.id Dr Rulam Ahmadi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English Language Education, Universitas Islam Malang, Indonesia. His areas of expertise include teacher training and language education. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7356-0669 Email: rulam_ahamdi@unisma.ac.id Dr Hamiddin is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English Language Education, Universitas Islam Malang, Indonesia. His research focuses on teacher training, teacher education, language assessment, and metacognitive awareness in language classrooms. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4742-0275 Email: hamiddin@unisma.ac.id Dr M. Faruq Ubaidillah (corresponding author) teaches in the Department of English Language Education, Universitas Islam Malang, Indonesia. He is a Visiting Lecturer in the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, and a MOFA Taiwan Research Fellowship. His areas of expertise include language teacher identity, higher education, and teacher professional development. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0275-8283 Email: mfubaidillah@unisma.ac.id Please cite as: Mistar, J., Ahmadi, R., Hamiddin & Ubaidillah, M. F. (2026). From teachers to researchers: A phenomenological study of Indonesian EFL teachers' research experiences. Issues in Educational Research, 36(1), 204-220. http://www.iier.org.au/iier36/mistar.pdf