Badminton as a Recreational Activity for Teacher Well-Being: Perspectives from EFL Educators in Southern Thailand
Main Article Content
Keywords
EFL, recreation, teacher well-being (TWB)
Abstract
Balancing teaching responsibilities highlights the importance of teacher well-being (TWB). This study explores the experiences of seven English language teachers in Southern Thailand who play badminton recreationally, revealing both benefits and challenges. It contributes to the limited literature on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher burnout, recreation among ASEAN teachers, and TWB in Asian contexts. Unlike most TWB research that used quantitative methods, this study employed a qualitative approach using convenience sampling. Data were collected through an open-ended questionnaire, and key themes emerged. Findings indicate that teachers recognize badminton's role in Holistic Well-Being and Motivation Enhancement. Efficiency Optimization was both a challenge and coping strategy in managing work and recreation. Instructional Integration also emerged, where recreational topics in English lessons can enhance student engagement and confidence. Future research should explore proactive TWB strategies in ASEAN contexts and beyond.
References
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Aziku, M., & Zhang, B. (2024). Systematic review of teacher well-being research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1427979
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Cabello-Manrique, D., Lorente, J.A., PadialRuz, R., & Puga-González, E. (2022). Play badminton forever: A systematic review of health benefits. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159077
Chang, H. (2022). Stress and burnout in EFL teachers: The mediator role of self-efficacy. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.880281
Cheng, Y. (2022). Investigating factors responsible for teacher burnout in English as foreign language classes. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.876203
Cheng, P. Y. Z., & Liu, H. (2024). A structural model of EFL teachers' physical activity, emotion regulation, and competence for online teaching. BMC Psychology, 12(1), 252. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01753-2
Dreer, B. (2023). On the outcomes of teacher wellbeing: A systematic review of
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Golzar, J., Noor, S., & Tajik, O. (2022). Convenience sampling. International Journal of Education and Language Studies, 1(2), 72-77. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijels.2022.162981
Güler, Y.E., & Çolakoğlu, T. (2020). Reviewing sportive recreation activities of workers who worked in Ankara GIMAT automobile industrial zone. European Journal of Social Sciences Studies, 4(6), 182-190.
Gunel, I., & Hacicaferoglu, S. (2022). Investigation of the effects of teachers'
participation in sportive recreational activities on assertiveness and hopelessness. Education Quarterly Reviews, 5(3), 78-86. https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1993.05.03.526
Gurler, I. (2015). Correlation between self-confidence and speaking skill of English Language Teaching and English Language and Literature Preparatory students. Current Research in Social Sciences, 1(2), 14-19.
Hascher, T., & Waber, J. (2021). Teacher wellbeing: A systematic review of the research literature from the year 2000-2019. Educational Research Review, 34, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2021.100411
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Maguire, M., & Delahunt, B. (2017). Doing a thematic analysis: A practical step-by-step guide for learning and teaching scholars. All Ireland Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 8(3), 3351-33514.
Mukba, G. (2023). An investigation of basic psychological needs satisfaction and its basic components: A literature review. Humanistic Perspective, 5(3), 1189-1218. https://doi.org/10.47793/hp.1345948
Mukminin, A., Masbirorotni, Noprival, Sutarno, Arif, N., & Maimunah. (2015). EFL speaking anxiety among senior high school students and policy recommendations. Journal of Education and Learning, 9(3), 217-225.
Mukundan, J., & Khandehroo, K. (2010). Burnout among English language teachers in Malaysia. Contemporary Issues in Education Research, 3(1), 71-76.
Nikolopoulou. K. (2023, June 22). What is convenience sampling? Definition & examples. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/convenience-sampling/.
Pamungkas, G., Prasetyo, Y., & Komari, A. (2022). The relationship of endurance and agility with badminton playing skills of badminton extracurricular students
at Sma N 1 Seyegan in the academic year 2019/2020. Advances in Health Sciences Research, 43, 174-180. https://doi.org/10.2991/ahsr.k.220106.034
Ramos, J.C.M. (2024, July 31). In pursuit of quality teacher education in ASEAN. The ASEAN Magazine. https://theaseanmagazine.asean.org/article/inpursuit-of-quality-teacher-educationin-asean/
Ratanasiripong, P., Ratanasiripong, N.T., Nungdanjark, W., Thongthammarat, Y., & Toyama, S. (2022). Mental health and burnout among teachers in Thailand. Journal of Health Research, 36(3), 404-416.
Richter, E., Lucksnat, C., Redding, C., & Richter, D. (2022). Retention intention and job satisfaction of alternatively certified teachers in their first year of teaching. Teaching and Teacher Education, 114, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103704
Roohani, A., & Dayeri, K. (2019). On the relationship between Iranian EFL teachers' burnout and motivation: A mixed methods study. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research, 7(1), 77-99.
Ryan, R.M., & Deci, E.L. (2000). Self-Determination Theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being.
American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
Saelee, J., & Katenga, J. (2025). Teacher burnout: Experiences of Thai teachers teaching English language at a faith-based school in Thailand. Human Behavior, Development and Society, 26(1), 66-77.
Sioson, I. C. (2023). On profession and recreation: Reflections from classroom and court as a teacher and badminton player. In Tomorrow People Organization (Eds.), Education and Development Conference 2023 (pp. 116-125). Tomorrow People Organization. https:// www.ed-conference.org/edc2023-proceedings.html
Thaksanan, P. (2024). The study of EFL students' public speaking anxiety and academic oral presentation strategies at a tertiary level in Thailand. Journal of Education and Innovation, 26(4), 48-59. UNICEF. (2019). SEA-PLM 2019 latest evidence in basic education supporting teacher to improve learning in 6 Southeast Asian countries. https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/media/6961/file/SEAPLM-2019-Latest-Evidence-2022.pdf
Ustun, U.D., Ersoy, A., & Bisgin, H. (2017). An investigation on perceived constraints of teachers in relation to leisure activities. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, 19(2), 157-161.
Utari, J., Ulfah, B., & Surayatika, D. (2022). The correlation between self confidence and speaking ability of the fourth semester students of Indo Global Mandiri
University. ULIL ALBAB: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 1(12), 4255-4261.
Yu, D., Chen J., Li X., & Yan, Z. (2022) Trajectory of teacher well-being research between 1973 and 2021: Review evidence from 49 Years in Asia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 1-19.
Yücedağ, C., & Çetin, M. (2020). Identifying leisure perceptions and activities of EFL teachers in home isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Engineering and Sciences, 6(2), 62-72.
Zubir, S.M.S., Linoby, A., Hussain, R.N.J.R., Lamat, S.A., Norhamzi, I., Zulkhairi, A., Noor, M.A.M., & Felder, H. (2022). Influence of recreational badminton playing on blood pressure and cognitive function in the elderly: A cross-sectional analysis with playing time-stratified sampling. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 22(9), 2076-2082.
Zulkifli, Z., Hashim, I.H.M., & Yahaya, M. (2022). Teachers wellbeing in Malaysia: A review. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education & Development, 11(1), 703-712. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v11-i1/12262
Aksoy, Y., & Arslan, O. (2019). Effects of recreational activity on leisure barriers between students. Asian Journal of Education and Training, 5(4), 569-574. https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.522.2019.54.569.574
Alvi, M. H. (2016). A manual for selecting sampling techniques in research [MPRA Paper No. 70218]. Munich Personal RePEc Archive. https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/70218/
Aziku, M., & Zhang, B. (2024). Systematic review of teacher well-being research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1427979
Badminton England. (2020, May 17). Reasons why badminton is good for your mental health. https://www.badmintonengland.co.uk/17-05-20-reasons-whybadminton-is-good-for-your-mentalhealth/
British Heart Foundation. (2014, October 3). Why badminton is a great way to keep you active. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-mattersmagazine/activity/badminton#:~:text=Playing%20badminton%20regularly%20can%0help,minimum%20150%20minutes%20a%20week.
Cabello-Manrique, D., Lorente, J.A., PadialRuz, R., & Puga-González, E. (2022). Play badminton forever: A systematic review of health benefits. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159077
Chang, H. (2022). Stress and burnout in EFL teachers: The mediator role of self-efficacy. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.880281
Cheng, Y. (2022). Investigating factors responsible for teacher burnout in English as foreign language classes. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.876203
Cheng, P. Y. Z., & Liu, H. (2024). A structural model of EFL teachers' physical activity, emotion regulation, and competence for online teaching. BMC Psychology, 12(1), 252. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01753-2
Dreer, B. (2023). On the outcomes of teacher wellbeing: A systematic review of
research. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1205179
Connor, M. (2025, February 28). Most watched sports in Thailand. Thaiger. https://
thethaiger.com/news/business/mostwatched-sports-in-thailand
Golzar, J., Noor, S., & Tajik, O. (2022). Convenience sampling. International Journal of Education and Language Studies, 1(2), 72-77. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijels.2022.162981
Güler, Y.E., & Çolakoğlu, T. (2020). Reviewing sportive recreation activities of workers who worked in Ankara GIMAT automobile industrial zone. European Journal of Social Sciences Studies, 4(6), 182-190.
Gunel, I., & Hacicaferoglu, S. (2022). Investigation of the effects of teachers'
participation in sportive recreational activities on assertiveness and hopelessness. Education Quarterly Reviews, 5(3), 78-86. https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1993.05.03.526
Gurler, I. (2015). Correlation between self-confidence and speaking skill of English Language Teaching and English Language and Literature Preparatory students. Current Research in Social Sciences, 1(2), 14-19.
Hascher, T., & Waber, J. (2021). Teacher wellbeing: A systematic review of the research literature from the year 2000-2019. Educational Research Review, 34, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2021.100411
Ismail, F.K.M., & Zubairi, A. M. B. (2022). Item objective congruence analysis for multidimensional items: Content validation of a reading test in Sri Lankan university. English Language Teaching, 15(1), 106-117. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v15n1p106
Maguire, M., & Delahunt, B. (2017). Doing a thematic analysis: A practical step-by-step guide for learning and teaching scholars. All Ireland Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 8(3), 3351-33514.
Mukba, G. (2023). An investigation of basic psychological needs satisfaction and its basic components: A literature review. Humanistic Perspective, 5(3), 1189-1218. https://doi.org/10.47793/hp.1345948
Mukminin, A., Masbirorotni, Noprival, Sutarno, Arif, N., & Maimunah. (2015). EFL speaking anxiety among senior high school students and policy recommendations. Journal of Education and Learning, 9(3), 217-225.
Mukundan, J., & Khandehroo, K. (2010). Burnout among English language teachers in Malaysia. Contemporary Issues in Education Research, 3(1), 71-76.
Nikolopoulou. K. (2023, June 22). What is convenience sampling? Definition & examples. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/convenience-sampling/.
Pamungkas, G., Prasetyo, Y., & Komari, A. (2022). The relationship of endurance and agility with badminton playing skills of badminton extracurricular students
at Sma N 1 Seyegan in the academic year 2019/2020. Advances in Health Sciences Research, 43, 174-180. https://doi.org/10.2991/ahsr.k.220106.034
Ramos, J.C.M. (2024, July 31). In pursuit of quality teacher education in ASEAN. The ASEAN Magazine. https://theaseanmagazine.asean.org/article/inpursuit-of-quality-teacher-educationin-asean/
Ratanasiripong, P., Ratanasiripong, N.T., Nungdanjark, W., Thongthammarat, Y., & Toyama, S. (2022). Mental health and burnout among teachers in Thailand. Journal of Health Research, 36(3), 404-416.
Richter, E., Lucksnat, C., Redding, C., & Richter, D. (2022). Retention intention and job satisfaction of alternatively certified teachers in their first year of teaching. Teaching and Teacher Education, 114, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103704
Roohani, A., & Dayeri, K. (2019). On the relationship between Iranian EFL teachers' burnout and motivation: A mixed methods study. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research, 7(1), 77-99.
Ryan, R.M., & Deci, E.L. (2000). Self-Determination Theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being.
American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
Saelee, J., & Katenga, J. (2025). Teacher burnout: Experiences of Thai teachers teaching English language at a faith-based school in Thailand. Human Behavior, Development and Society, 26(1), 66-77.
Sioson, I. C. (2023). On profession and recreation: Reflections from classroom and court as a teacher and badminton player. In Tomorrow People Organization (Eds.), Education and Development Conference 2023 (pp. 116-125). Tomorrow People Organization. https:// www.ed-conference.org/edc2023-proceedings.html
Thaksanan, P. (2024). The study of EFL students' public speaking anxiety and academic oral presentation strategies at a tertiary level in Thailand. Journal of Education and Innovation, 26(4), 48-59. UNICEF. (2019). SEA-PLM 2019 latest evidence in basic education supporting teacher to improve learning in 6 Southeast Asian countries. https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/media/6961/file/SEAPLM-2019-Latest-Evidence-2022.pdf
Ustun, U.D., Ersoy, A., & Bisgin, H. (2017). An investigation on perceived constraints of teachers in relation to leisure activities. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, 19(2), 157-161.
Utari, J., Ulfah, B., & Surayatika, D. (2022). The correlation between self confidence and speaking ability of the fourth semester students of Indo Global Mandiri
University. ULIL ALBAB: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 1(12), 4255-4261.
Yu, D., Chen J., Li X., & Yan, Z. (2022) Trajectory of teacher well-being research between 1973 and 2021: Review evidence from 49 Years in Asia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 1-19.
Yücedağ, C., & Çetin, M. (2020). Identifying leisure perceptions and activities of EFL teachers in home isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Engineering and Sciences, 6(2), 62-72.
Zubir, S.M.S., Linoby, A., Hussain, R.N.J.R., Lamat, S.A., Norhamzi, I., Zulkhairi, A., Noor, M.A.M., & Felder, H. (2022). Influence of recreational badminton playing on blood pressure and cognitive function in the elderly: A cross-sectional analysis with playing time-stratified sampling. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 22(9), 2076-2082.
Zulkifli, Z., Hashim, I.H.M., & Yahaya, M. (2022). Teachers wellbeing in Malaysia: A review. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education & Development, 11(1), 703-712. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v11-i1/12262
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Published
Jun 25, 2025
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How to Cite
Sioson, I. (2025). Badminton as a Recreational Activity for Teacher Well-Being: Perspectives from EFL Educators in Southern Thailand. AsTEN Journal of Teacher Education, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.56278/asten.v9i1.3110
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Section 1: Research Articles and Research Briefs
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