Agency in Academic Career Development Within Neoliberalism: Chinese as an Additional Language Teachers' Trajectories

Abstract

The pursuit of academic careers within neoliberal higher education is increasingly characterised as uncertain, insecure and fragmented. Previous studies have predominantly depicted the challenges and tensions experienced by language teachers in sustaining their career development. However, there remains a lack of research on how career agency (i.e., agentic actions and choices) is negotiated and exercised by individuals at the micro level. This multiple case study traces the career trajectories of a group of Chinese as an additional language (CAL) teachers, focusing on how they make decisions and enact actions to navigate their academic careers. The findings reveal diverse manifestations of career agency among the participants. Their career accounts indicate how different elements, such as neoliberal norms, personal values, professional status and career goals, intersect in their choices and actions as they navigate individual academic careers. Practical implications are discussed to support language teachers in developing their career paths within neoliberalism.