Modeling the contribution of self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and autonomy to professional creativity of Chinese EFL teachers

In the modern educational landscape, teacher creativity has a vital role, especially in language education. Teacher creativity plays a crucial role in today's world, and some studies have explored the factors influencing creativity among language teachers. The present research explored the impact of psychological factors, self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and autonomy on the professional creativity of Chinese English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers. These interconnected concepts provide a holistic perspective on motivation and performance, impacting both individuals and groups. In a study involving 542 English teachers from diverse backgrounds (varying in gender, age, and teaching experience) within Chinese educational settings, researchers administered four distinct scales: teacher creativity, self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and autonomy. The responses were then analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The analysis revealed a significant relationship between Chinese EFL teachers' self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and autonomy, and their creativity. Specifically, regression analysis indicated that higher levels of self-efficacy and collective efficacy were statistically associated with better creativity among teachers (p < 0.05). The model further showed that 52% of the differences in teachers' professional creativity can be described by their self-efficacy, while approximately 37% of the variance is attributed to collective efficacy. Additionally, autonomy accounts for approximately 61% of the variance in teachers' professional creativity. The results from the SEM analysis corroborate the existing literature, affirming that self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and autonomy significantly influence professional creativity among Chinese EFL teachers. These psychological factors play a crucial role in enhancing individual teacher creativity. Educational administrators can leverage these insights to design focused professional development programs that strengthen teachers' self-efficacy and collective efficacy. Additionally, granting teachers greater autonomy in curriculum design and implementation fosters an environment where creative teaching strategies are more likely to flourish.