Exploring the influence of Aberu on teacher trainees in Iran: A cultural-historical perspective

  • Pourya Javahery Faculty of Foreign Languages, Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch, Tehran 1148963537, Iran
Article ID: 2651
Keywords: Aberu; cultural schema; teacher training; cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT)

Abstract

Cultural factors are crucial in shaping teacher training programs, affecting curriculum, instructional strategies, and the learning environment. This study investigates the impact of Aberu, which is an Iranian concept of honor and social reputation emphasizing the maintenance of dignity and societal respect, on teacher trainees using Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT). Through qualitative analysis of interviews with 14 trainees from various Iranian teacher training centers, the study reveals that Aberu significantly influences their professional development. Key findings indicate that trainees experience heightened stress, sleep deprivation, fear of failure, and internalized perfectionism as they strive to meet Aberu standards. Aberu mediates their interactions and learning within the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), leading to self-imposed standards and a deep sense of responsibility to uphold their cultural identity. Understanding the influence of Aberu on teacher trainees has significant implications for designing culturally responsive training programs that support the needs of diverse learners and promote culturally competent teaching practices. Finally, the article concludes that by integrating cultural considerations into teacher training, educators can better prepare trainees to navigate the complexities of the educational landscape in Iran and beyond.

Published
2025-06-23
How to Cite
Javahery, P. (2025). Exploring the influence of Aberu on teacher trainees in Iran: A cultural-historical perspective. Forum for Education Studies, 3(3), 2651. https://doi.org/10.59400/fes2651
Section
Article

References

[1]Scott KA, Mumford VE. Critical Thoughts: Reexamining Teacher Training, Cultural Awareness, and School Reform. Multicultural Perspectives. 2007; 9(4): 54-58. doi: 10.1080/15210960701569732

[2]Gu Q. Intercultural Experience and Teacher Professional Development. RELC Journal. 2005; 36(1): 5-22. doi: 10.1177/0033688205053479

[3]Eden CA, Chisom ON, Adeniyi IS. Cultural competence in education: strategies for fostering inclusivity and diversity awareness. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences. 2024; 6(3): 383-392. doi: 10.51594/ijarss.v6i3.895

[4]Skinner B, Abbott L. An exploration of differences in cultural values in teacher education pedagogy: Chinese English language teacher trainees’ perceptions of effective teaching practice review. Teacher Development. 2013; 17(2): 228-245. doi: 10.1080/13664530.2012.753937

[5]Zaborowska M. A Contribution to the Study of the Persian Concept of Aberu. Hemispheres. Studies on Cultures and Societies. 2013; 29(1): 113-127.

[6]Cushner K, Brislin R. Bridging Gaps: Cross-Cultural Training in Teacher Education. Journal of Teacher Education. 1986; 37(6): 51-54. doi: 10.1177/002248718603700608

[7]Canosa VF, Jiménez LO, Romero CS, et al. Teacher Training in Intercultural Education: Teacher Perceptions. Education Sciences. 2020; 10(3): 81. doi: 10.3390/educsci10030081

[8]Bărbuleț G. Incorporating culture in teachers’ training. The journal of linguistic and intercultural education. 2019; 12(1): 7-18. doi: 10.29302/jolie.2019.12.1.1

[9]Ferrara J, Nath JL, Beebe R. Exploring cultural competence in professional development schools. Information Age Publishing; 2020.

[10]Nussbaumer D. An overview of cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) use in classroom research 2000 to 2009. Educational Review. 2012; 64(1): 37-55. doi: 10.1080/00131911.2011.553947

[11]Lupu MM. A Cultural-Historical Activity Theory Approach To Collaborative Learning In Programs Of Pre-Service Teacher Education: Exploring Implications For Educational Policy And Practice. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2011; 29: 13-32. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.11.201

[12]Jo H, Lim J, Park K, et al. ICT in Education Activity System of Teachers in Partner Countries in International Education Development Cooperation Projects: A Cultural-Historical Activity Theory Analysis. Association of Global Studies Education. 2023; 15(2): 5-36. doi: 10.19037/agse.15.2.01

[13]Yang W, Li H. The role of culture in early childhood curriculum development: A case study of curriculum innovations in Hong Kong kindergartens. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood. 2020; 23(1): 48-67. doi: 10.1177/1463949119900359

[14]Achille C, Fiorillo F. Teaching and Learning of Cultural Heritage: Engaging Education, Professional Training, and Experimental Activities. Heritage. 2022; 5(3): 2565-2593. doi: 10.3390/heritage5030134

[15]Abacioglu CS, Fischer AH, Volman M. Professional development in multicultural education: What can we learn from the Australian context? Teaching and Teacher Education. 2022; 114: 103701. doi: 10.1016/j.tate.2022.103701

[16]Aneja GA. (Non)native Speakered: Rethinking (Non)nativeness and Teacher Identity inTESOLTeacher Education. TESOL Quarterly. 2016; 50(3): 572-596. doi: 10.1002/tesq.315

[17]Zhang F, Liu Y. A study of secondary school English teachers’ beliefs in the context of curriculum reform in China. Language Teaching Research. 2013; 18(2): 187-204. doi: 10.1177/1362168813505940

[18]Pishghadam R, Golzar J, Miri MA. A New Conceptual Framework for Teacher Identity Development. Frontiers in Psychology. 2022; 13. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.876395

[19]Bhopal K, Rhamie J. Initial teacher training: understanding ‘race,’ diversity and inclusion. Race Ethnicity and Education. 2013; 17(3): 304-325. doi: 10.1080/13613324.2013.832920

[20]Almuhammadi A. Exploring the Influence of Socio-Cultural Factors on Teacher Development in the Saudi EFL Setting. International Journal of English Linguistics. 2024; 14(3): 13. doi: 10.5539/ijel.v14n3p13

[21]Cong-Lem N. Vygotsky’s, Leontiev’s and Engeström’s Cultural-Historical (Activity) Theories: Overview, Clarifications and Implications. Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science. 2022; 56(4): 1091-1112. doi: 10.1007/s12124-022-09703-6

[22]Schmidt M. Activity Theory as a Lens for Developing and Applying Personas and Scenarios in Learning Experience Design. Journal of Applied Instructional Design. 2022; 11(1): 13. doi: 10.51869/111/msat

[23]Dracup M, Austin JE, King TJ. Applying cultural-historical activity theory to understand the development of inclusive curriculum practices in higher education. International Journal of Inclusive Education. 2018; 24(8): 882-900. doi: 10.1080/13603116.2018.1492638

[24]Grimalt-Álvaro C, Ametller J. A Cultural-Historical Activity Theory Approach for the Design of a Qualitative Methodology in Science Educational Research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods. 2021; 20. doi: 10.1177/16094069211060664

[25]Postholm MB, Vennebo KF. Applying cultural historical activity theory in educational settings: learning, development and research. Routledge; 2021.

[26]Tatik T, Nguyen HTM, Loughland T. Exploring factors influencing Indonesian novice teachers’ achievement of teacher professional standards during induction: A cultural-historical activity theory perspective. Teaching and Teacher Education. 2025; 159: 105013. doi: 10.1016/j.tate.2025.105013

[27]Hosseini SM. Self Face and Identity in the Iranian Culture: A Study on Three Lexemes. RALs. 2022; 13(2). doi: 10.22055/rals.2022.17803

[28]Sharifian F, Palmer GB. Applied Cultural Linguistics. John Benjamins Publishing Company; 2007.

[29]Safarpour B. Teacher Training and Professional Ethics. ‪Iranian Journal of Educational Sociology. 2024; 3(1): 80-87. doi: 10.61838/kman.ijes.7.3.10‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

[30]Rahimi M, Mirzaei H. The role of aberu in Iranian business practices. International Journal of Business and Social Science. 2019; 10(3): 45-56.

[31]Herren RV, Ary D, Jacobs LC, et al. Introduction to Research in Education, 10th ed. Cengage Learning; 2018.

[32]Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol. 2006;3(2):77-101. doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

[33]Rowlands J. Interviewee transcript review as a tool to improve data quality and participant confidence in sensitive research. Int J Qual Methods. 2021;20. doi:10.1177/16094069211066170

[34]Stephens P, Tønnessen FE, Kyriacou C. Teachertrainingand teachereducationin England and Norway: a comparative study of policy goals. Comparative Education. 2004; 40(1): 109-130. doi: 10.1080/0305006042000184908

[35]Cochran-Smith M. Toward a theory of teacher education for social justice. Springer; 2010.

[36]McAllister G, Irvine JJ. Cross cultural competency and multicultural teacher education. Rev Educ Res. 2000;70(1):3-24. doi:10.3102/00346543070001003

[37]Soetaert R, Mottart A, Verdoodt I. Culture and Pedagogy in Teacher Education. Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies. 2004; 26(2-3): 155-174. doi: 10.1080/10714410490480421

[38]Warford MK. The zone of proximal teacher development. Teaching and Teacher Education. 2011; 27(2): 252-258. doi: 10.1016/j.tate.2010.08.008

[39]Fani T, Ghaemi F. Implications of Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) in Teacher Education: ZPTD and Self-scaffolding. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2011; 29: 1549-1554. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.11.396

[40]Artiles AJ, Trent SC, Hoffman-Kipp P, et al. From Individual Acquisition to Cultural-Historical Practices in Multicultural Teacher Education. Remedial and Special Education. 2000; 21(2): 79-120. doi: 10.1177/074193250002100203