An Analysis of Iranian English Language Teachers' Resilience in Responses to Crisis - Induced Challenges Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Education is fundamental to achieving Sustainable Development Goal ۴ (SDG ۴), which aims to provide inclusive and quality education for all, particularly as global education systems grow more diverse in social, ethnic, and cultural contexts. While much research on sustainable and inclusive education has centered on the Global North, developing countries like Iran continue to face significant barriers, including gender inequality, socio-economic challenges, natural disasters, and inadequate school infrastructure, all of which impede educational progress. In times of crisis, teachers play a vital role in maintaining educational continuity and fostering student resilience, often with limited institutional support. This study focuses on English Language Teachers (ELTs), who are key to fostering global communication and inclusion, yet their resilience has been underexplored in Applied Linguistics research. This article presents findings from the initial phase of my PhD research, which involved a survey to collect quantitative and qualitative data from ELTs in Iranian secondary schools. It explores their specific challenges and the support structures available to them. Despite obstacles such as inadequate infrastructure and insufficient support, the study found that ELTs effectively and strategically adapted by transitioning to online teaching, creating peer support networks, and developing localized teaching resources. The insights gained from this research are intended to guide the development of educational resources, improve teacher training programs, and shape policy decisions. By examining how teachers adapt their methods and demonstrate resilience during crises, this study contributes to promoting educational justice and equity for all students in Iran, aligning with the global education agendas of UNESCO and UNICEF. Strengthening teacher resilience will better equip education systems to navigate future crises.

کلیدواژه ها:

resilience ، sustainable development goals ، inclusive education ، SDG۴ ، ELTs ، times of crises