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  • The Relations between Student Foreign Language Anxiety and Social Variables
    87-100
    Views:
    340

    Due to the labour market expectations, universities are responsible for preparing their students for competitive employment in Hungary or abroad. However, language anxiety is an insurmountable problem for many people, making it difficult to learn foreign languages, even though a confident command of them is a key factor in any job interview and essential in the world of work. This complex is one of the main factors hindering language learning, affecting all people to either a greater or lesser extent. In 2023, the University of Debrecen's researchers studied the impact of language anxiety on foreign language learning, surveying approximately 400 students of the university's commerce, marketing, and business management courses. After having a questionnaire filled in, descriptive statistical and cross-tabulation analyses were conducted, and the focus was on analysing the impact of social variables on language anxiety. Our research shows that women are significantly more anxious than men. Students who work while studying and use their foreign language skills at work experience significantly more anxiety than students who do not use a foreign language. Parents' language skills significantly affect their children's language anxiety. The research topic is relevant, as it highlights the importance of teaching strategies to reduce language anxiety in university foreign language teaching. The present study facilitates the teaching of those students who would not be able to overcome the anxiety barrier.

  • Policy Against Drop-out in Italy
    1-9
    Views:
    728

    In this essay I set out the current situation of Early School Leaving (ESL) in Italy by considering both data provided by institutional sources (national and international) and a review of the most recent contributions from the educational work that have been done intensively to fight against ESL over the last 20 years. I will argue that the way followed so far will not lead to surprising results, due to deep and structural persisting factors of inequality. After a short overview on the position of Italy in the European rankings, the article recalls the main interventions that took place in the country by different investors (public and non-public), setting up a multiplicity of fragmented macro-politics. Then I will look at the mechanisms of differentiation and unequal distribution of educational opportunities and I will conclude with suggestions on how to make the fight against ESL more efficient and forward-looking.

  • The Use of Linguistic Features in Indonesian Students’ Texts at Hungarian Universities
    131-141
    Views:
    296

    Students enrolled in a higher level of education may face challenges in producing assignments, including writing an essay. They need to present appropriate linguistic features in the text to demonstrate their writing quality. Comparing linguistic features during university study is one fundamental aspect of administering writing quality and showing student writing development. The topic presented in this study describes an initial statistical analysis and the frequency of linguistic features in the texts produced by Indonesian graduate students enrolled at Hungarian universities. This study proposed two research questions: 1) How frequently do pre-selected linguistic features appear in the texts of Indonesian graduate students? 2) How do these features appear in a paired T-test statistical analysis? Seven MSc and MA graduate students took part in the study to meet the goal. They are students at three different universities in Hungary, which all have a Social Science Faculty. During their second-year studies, fourteen essays with a minimum text length of 2000 words were collected. The findings revealed an increase in conjunctions, adjectives, abstract nouns, concrete nouns, noun phrases, expanded noun phrases, active verbs, verb phrases, and passive forms. Meanwhile, the frequency of linguistic features such as prepositions, definite articles, indefinite articles, noun clauses, adverbial clauses, and adjective clauses decreased. In addition, both the rise of nine linguistic features and the decrease of six features in the second semester are not statistically significant.

  • Investigating the patterns of syntactic complexity predicting high-quality writing: a corpus-based study of the written text production at the B2+ English Language Exam at a Hungarian University
    Views:
    185

    This pilot study explores the predictive role of syntactic complexity in assessing L2 writing proficiency, with a focus on its potential contribution to validating a high-stakes English language examination. Drawing on prior research that highlights the importance of syntactic complexity in writing evaluation, the study aims to identify specific syntactic measures that reliably distinguish between low-rated and high-rated L2 texts. The analysis is based on a corpus of written texts for the B2+ level for so-called 'Basic' English Language Examination (BLE) administered at a Hungarian university. Although labeled "Basic" the BLE represents a mandatory proficiency examination (B2+ level according to the CEFR) required for academic advancement. Rather than examining inter-rater reliability, the research centers on contribution to validation by investigating linguistic features associated with rated writing quality. Grades assigned by human raters were used solely to group texts and build the corpus for analysis. A total of 60 syntactic complexity indices were extracted using the Multidimensional Analysis Tagger (MAT) (Nini, 2019) and the Coh-Metrix 3.0 software package (Graesser, McNamara & Kulikowich, 2011). These indices include measures of clausal, phrasal, and overall structural complexity. The findings are expected to inform ongoing validation efforts for the BLE and contribute to more robust, evidence-based practices in L2 writing assessment by identifying linguistic patterns that correlate with writing proficiency.

  • A treasury of tools: Navigating the complexities of international higher education
    164–167
    Views:
    39

    Bibliography of the reviewed book: Dabney-Fekete, I. D. (Eds.) (2024). International higher education. Debrecen University Press.

  • Playing Purposefully with Students in Courses – a Concept, an Implementation, and an Evaluation of a University Module
    76-86
    Views:
    234

    Playing as a method of learning is predominantly applied in preschool and primary education. However, in the context of higher education, the method of playing is only sporadically used. The novelty of this topic lies in its application at the tertiary level, particularly in teacher education, where the aim is for students to plan and support learning processes for pupils from deep structures. This study investigates how playful learning methodologies can be effectively integrated into higher education and examines the impact on student attitudes and teaching practices. The module 'Playful Learning in Primary Education' was evaluated during the autumn semester of 2023 at the Institute for Primary Education of the PH FHNW in Switzerland. Initially, the topic of play is defined from multiple theoretical perspectives. The module description outlines the research questions addressed in the study. A central component of the evaluation is the students' certificates of achievement, which were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results highlight the attitudes toward playful methodology that students had at the beginning of the module and the attitudes and experiences they acquired by the end of the module. The evaluation results are presented in summative fashion in tables and interpreted in the discussion. The article aims to motivate university teachers to offer playful learning methods in higher education and to experience the positive impacts of this methodology with the students. The results clearly show that this methodology can lead to changes in teaching practice.

  • Learning communities in the various settings of lifelong learning
    162-171
    Views:
    54

    This paper examines the role and functions of learning communities across different contexts of lifelong learning, focusing on higher education, vocational education and training, learning in later life, and cultural learning environments. Drawing on sociocultural learning theories and the concept of communities of practice, the study interprets learning as a socially embedded process shaped through participation, interaction, and shared meaning-making. The paper applies a conceptual and interpretive approach to explore how community-based learning manifests across diverse educational and cultural settings. The analysis highlights that learning communities extend beyond formal educational institutions and constitute important spaces for knowledge creation, social participation, and identity formation. In higher education, they foster student integration and intergenerational learning; in vocational education, workplace environments function as collaborative learning spaces supporting professional socialization; in later life, community learning contributes to active ageing and social inclusion; while cultural institutions provide alternative arenas for non-formal and informal learning. The findings suggest that learning communities represent a key framework of lifelong learning by strengthening the social embeddedness of knowledge and supporting participation and personal development throughout the life course.

  • Teacher-Driven Strategies for Enhancing Parental Involvement in Rural Education
    Views:
    252

    Parental involvement is widely acknowledged as a vital contributor to learners’ academic achievement and overall school success. While much is known about the benefits of parental engagement, particularly in urban and well-resourced settings, the dynamics and challenges in rural schools remain underexplored. This study addresses that gap by investigating how teachers perceive and implement strategies to enhance parental involvement in rural contexts. Specifically, the study aimed to answer the following question: (1) What are teachers’ perceptions and experiences regarding parental involvement in rural schools? and (2) What teacher-driven strategies do they propose to improve collaboration with parents? This qualitative case study draws on Rotter’s Social Learning Theory to explain how behaviour is shaped by observation, reinforcement, and social interaction. The study was conducted at a rural high school in Mandlanzini Agri-village, KwaZulu-Natal, with ten purposively selected teachers as participants. Data were collected through a semi-structured online questionnaire and analysed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) coding process. The findings reveal a pressing need for structured, teacher-driven strategies that extend beyond standard parent-teacher meetings to include structured and culturally responsive interventions. The study highlights the practical value of teacher agency in facilitating parental involvement and offers context-specific insights that may guide future interventions in similar rural settings.

  • For the Sake of the Cause – Persistence of Romanian Higher Education Students in Finishing their Studies
    22-30
    Views:
    389

    As a consequence of the expansion in higher education, the number of students has increased and the academic population has diversified but at the same time the university dropout has become a general problem since the last century (Trow, 2005; Kozma, 2010; Barro & Jong, 2013; Stanciu, 2014; Berei, 2018). In this paper, I proposed to analyze the persistence of students from 5 universities from Romania. We examine at institutional and individual level the perspective of their willingness to finish their studies. In partnership with the Center for Higher Education Research and Development - Hungary, named CHERD – H, from the University of Debrecen, was collected dates among students in 2012 (N=1323) and in 2014 - 2015 (N=323). Through a quantitative analysis, on a longitudinal perspective, I used SPSS statistical program to analyze data. The question of the research was: is there any difference between students` intentions to graduate on private and state institutions? Who is intending to finish and who is preparing to abandon his study? I concluded that students with unfavorable family background have nearly two times lower chance to enroll at state university and in private institutions students intention to enter into possesion of diploma was significant lower. With logistic regression I found also, that low financial status or low schooling of parents is not a significant obstacle on student academic path if they make every effort to participate in educational programs, submit assignments on time and are able to prepare for exams.

  • Language, school and society: The status of German in Hungarian public education
    159–163
    Views:
    53

    Bibliography of the reviewed book: Sebestyén, K. (2023). Kik és miért tanulnak németet az érettségit adó képzésekben? [Who and why do the study German in the programs with secondary school leaving exam?]. Debrecen University Press.

     

  • A Comparison of the Educational Methods of Zoltán Kodály and his Student, Klára Kokas
    47-52
    Views:
    776

    After the presentation of Klára Kokas’ pedagogical methods and her own invented musical activities with children, I shall try to compare these methods with Zoltán Kodály’s music educational practices and innovations to emphasize the continuity and discontinuity of Hungarian music educational practice. Kokas centered her pedagogical concept on children’s creativity, human relations, acceptance of and complete attention paid to others. This world view and ideology was constructed around a child-centered sensitivity, music being her primary pedagogical resource. The goal of this paper is to explore the main elements and characteristics of Klára Kokas’s pedagogy, which were revolutionary and new in the fields of personality development, music and complex art education. I will draw out those elements, which show similarity between his work and Kokas’s, then I will point out those components in which Kokas offered excess for personality development. The main elements of this concept is music, dance improvisation, motions, imaginative stories, visual arts, painting and drawing, but it’s most important component is that very specific and intimate relation, which connected her to the children. My purpose is to highlight the contours of the Kokas’ pedagogy. In my comparative research I mention the reform pedagogical elements of the Zoltán Kodály’s concept, and I seek the common and different elements of their music educational ideas and innovations. The importance of her beliefs and moral convictions in the art of education will be outlined then.

  • Family-School Partnership in Supporting Level 4 Students at a Community Education and Training College
    52-59
    Views:
    272

    Family-school partnership is essential for achieving quality school and academic performance to level 4 students at a Community Education and Training (CET) College. The partnership comprises the ability of families and schools to provide holistic support and guidance to students as they progress toward independence and becoming responsible community members themselves. However, this is not prevalent in the majority of CET centres, particularly those in low-income communities (Madzinga, 2021). This study explored the role of different stakeholders within the CET Colleges in enhancing family-school partnership and supporting level 4 students. The current study intends to assist schools/centres with strategies that could be used by the centres to involve families and communities to enhance the academic performance of students in the CET College. This study was underpinned by the interpretivism paradigm. Data was gathered using semi-structured individual interviews. Epstein's model of school, family, and community interaction served as the foundation for the study. The idea was deemed appropriate for this study because it promotes parental and family involvement through mutual collaboration among many stakeholders. The findings of this study show that families want to be involved in their children's education, but they don't have the time owing to various commitments.

  • Students in Hungarian Higher Education and Their Perception of Dificulties During Their Studies
    101-113
    Views:
    450

    Our research aims to examine the recruitment of students who experience difficulties with learning during their higher education studies and the motives behind their career choices, as well as the correlation of these factors with student persistence. The topicality of the problem stems from the diversity of students as a result of the expansion of higher education, as well as the increasing proportion of reading comprehension and other learning difficulties that can hinder individuals' progress in the labour market. Previous research has linked problems in learning in higher education to underdeveloped skills. However, we hypothesize that the occurrence of difficulties during students' studies and careers is determined by career choices, which are influenced by social background. While in higher education the social status differences of the family background already seem to disappear, the origin also affects the higher education career. To test the viability of this assumption, statistical methods were used to analyze the CHERD-Hungary database PERSIST -2019. In the case of difficulties and low persistence, we found a relationship with the career choice patterns of the students studied, especially with family factors influencing career choice and students' interest in their current education. One of our most important findings is that students who experience difficulties during learning can be divided into two groups. One group is characterized by low social status indicators, participating in low prestige and high risk fields of education, and there are specific cultural disadvantages in the background of their difficulties. The other group includes students who come from a higher-status family and concentrate on higher-risk but more prestigious courses, characterized by above-average selectivity and a higher risk of dropping out.

  • Examining challenges to Parental Involvement in Enhancing Academic Performance Among Grade 7 Learners/Students
    Views:
    377

    Parental involvement is a critical determining factor of learners' academic success, particularly during transitional educational phases such as Grade 7. This study explores the factors challenging parental engagement in supporting their children's academic performance at this crucial stage in South Africa, Tshwane South District. Although extensive research has been conducted on parental involvement, there is limited studies focusing on the transitional phase of grade 7 within the South African context. Employing a qualitative approach, and purposively selected 11 participants (6 parents, 5 educators). Furthermore, data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis. Findings indicate that socioeconomic constraints, limited parental education, communication gaps between schools and families, and parents' time constraints significantly hinder effective involvement. Additionally, cultural perceptions of parental roles in education and students' increasing need for autonomy in adolescence further complicate engagement efforts. The study also identifies systemic barriers, such as inadequate school initiatives to foster parent-teacher collaboration. Recommendations include capacity-building workshops for parents, and the development of inclusive communication strategies by schools. This paper highlights the need for a holistic, community-driven approach to overcoming barriers and fostering sustained parental involvement to enhance student achievement in Grade 7, offering insights that are particularly relevant within South African context.

  • College Begins in Kindergarten: A Path to Higher Education Through Family-School Partnerships in a K-5 School
    1-12.
    Views:
    383

    As income inequality rises in the United States, students from low-income backgrounds and other excluded identities are likelier to remain in the lower income percentile, especially if they do not have college degrees (Kochhar & Cilluffo, 2018). Therefore, a critical approach is to focus on what happens before middle and high school, realizing that early childhood is prime for students to learn about college and their future. This study explored the practices influencing college-going aspirations for marginalized students in a K-5 school that engages teachers and families. The exploration extends the literature on how schools prepare elementary-aged students to develop college-going aspirations. The case study design collected data from observations, an administrative interview, and a document review. Findings revealed social and environmental practices influencing students and families regarding college-going attitudes and aspirations. The results have implications for curriculum and school culture to redefine the postsecondary conversation.  

  • Correlation Between Educational Performance, Family Background and Settlement Type in Covasna County, Romania
    62-69
    Views:
    404

    In social sciences, a more sophisticated way of examining students' school performance, based on the combination of school and family factors, is becoming increasingly popular. Important indicators of schools operating in a given territorial and societal context can be obtained both at student and institutional levels if territorial characteristics are included. In our research we examine the correlation between family background and performance, and investigate the settlement type where the proportion of students from low SES schools is the highest. At the same time we are also curious whether there is a greater chance of resilience in smaller communities. Our results show that the majority of students from low SES schools study in small settlements, but resilience is clearly not more typical in smaller communities.

  • Attendance Without Presence: Measuring Cognitive Class Avoidance Among Students
    71-82
    Views:
    532

    While the term “school absenteeism” refers to a student’s withdrawal from the reach of classroom instruction, we explicitly opt for the term “class avoidance.” Existing studies on this phenomenon have primarily dealt with unauthorized physical absence from class. However, in our contribution, we extend the scope to cognitive absence. The behavior of students who are physically present but cognitively disengaged has largely been neglected in educational research thus far. This deficit stands in contrast to the widely accepted importance of cognitive activation in the classroom. The core of our contribution consists in the presentation and the construct validation of a newly developed scale for measuring cognitive class avoidance (inattention in class). We evaluated this measurement instrument in a cross-sectional study with a sample of 171 seventh- to ninth-grade students (M = 14.3 years, SD = .94). Our data confirmed a theoretically founded g-factor model. The results of the analysis point to a limited prevalence of cognitive class avoidance. Such forms of behavior were significantly more frequently reported by boys than by girls, however.

  • The Use of Interactive Teaching Aids by Special Education Teachers in Teaching Science to Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
    Views:
    418

    This study explores the use of interactive teaching aids by special education teachers in teaching science to students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It identifies effective tools, challenges educators face, and strategies for optimizing their use. Research questions focus on commonly used aids and barriers to implementation, given the need for inclusive and tailored educational approaches. Existing literature underscores the benefits of interactive teaching aids for students with ASD, particularly digital tools like interactive whiteboards, tablets, and digital storytelling. These resources enhance engagement, support visual and kinesthetic learning, and improve social interaction skills. However, challenges persist, including insufficient teacher training, limited access to technology, and the need for individualized adaptations. A qualitative methodology was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 10 special education teachers. Thematic analysis using NVivo software provided insights into teacher experiences. Findings indicate that interactive teaching aids improve engagement and comprehension but are hindered by resource constraints, technical issues, and variability in student attention. Despite widespread recognition of their benefits, research on the specific application of interactive teaching aids in ASD science education remains limited. The long-term impact on learning retention and tool adaptability across contexts also requires further investigation. This study concludes that interactive teaching aids significantly enhance science education for students with ASD. Addressing barriers through targeted training, better resource allocation, and regular maintenance is crucial. Future research should explore long-term effects and optimize strategies for integrating these tools in diverse educational settings.

  • The Connection between Extracurricular, Leisure Time Activities, Religiosity and the Reasons for Drop-out
    55-67
    Views:
    645

    The interruption of tertiary education and the reduction in the dropout rate have been a central issue in educational sociology and education research. Exploring the possible reasons for dropping out can significantly contribute to reducing the trend. Our aim is to map the links between students dropping out and individual factors. Consequently, we investigate the connection between extracurricular and leisure-time activities, health behaviour and religiosity in relation to dropout. This is explained by the fact that one of the axioms of the literature on dropout is that belonging to civil networks usually strengthens the commitment to the successful completion of studies. In our analysis, we used the database created during the research carried out in 2018 by the Center for Higher Education Research and Development (CHERD-H) in the framework of project No. 123847 of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund of Hungary, entitled The Role of Social and Organisational Factors in Student Dropout (DEPART 2018, N=605). Our results show that the neglect of study obligations among those who are disappointed in the course and further education is closely related to the shift in value preferences and an increase in the time spent with entertainment activities and partying. It can also be stated that students take part indifferent types of extracurricular activities only to a limited extent, and the different forms of participation in activities and religiosity are not related to the causes of dropout.

  • Favouring Middle-and Upper-Class Students? The Structure and Process of Attending China’s Selective Universities
    1-16
    Views:
    541

    Research suggests the increasing influence of family socioeconomic status, as measured by parents’ income and occupations, in access to Chinese higher education. Yet, the literature remains inconclusive about the extent to which the social background of rural and urban students is associated with academic and social performance at elite universities. We address this limitation by looking at the academic and social success of representative samples of first- and second-year students enrolled at four Chinese elite universities. Our aim is to understand the characteristics that students from both urban and rural environments bring with them and how those characteristics bear on academic and social performance in university. We found an overrepresentation of students from middle- and upper-class backgrounds in both urban and rural student groups. The fact that the process indicator of cultural capital has a direct association with social success suggests students from urban areas exhibit traits valued in the selective university environment.

  • The role of higher education socialization in shaping students' future-oriented work ethic
    111–118
    Views:
    66

    Research on higher education clearly indicates that the institutional environment, as well as the relationships formed with faculty and peers, not only influence academic achievement and the risk of dropout, but also have a significant long-term effect on students' life trajectories, future outlook, future orientation, and even their decisions to remain in a given geographic location (Pusztai, 2011; Bess & Dee, 2012; Sütő, 2021; Sütő, 2025; Demeter-Karászi, 2025). This suggests that higher education institutions do not operate merely as knowledge-transfer organizations, but also as socializing environments that shape students' relationship with work, achievement, and long-term goals. The theoretical framework of our research is therefore grounded in approaches that interpret future-oriented work ethic not exclusively as an individual psychological trait, but as a phenomenon embedded in social relationships and institutional contexts (Berger, 2001; Kuh & Umbach, 2004). Our research seeks to answer what associations can be identified between the characteristics of the social and institutional environment of higher education institutions — in particular, institutional culture, relationships with faculty and peers, and institutional trust — and students' future-oriented work ethic. Our empirical data are drawn from the 2023–2024 survey of the MTA–DE Public Education Development Research Program, a large-scale international database comprising 1,336 respondents. The results indicate that trust-based relationships with both faculty and peers, as well as the perception of a transparent and fair institutional atmosphere, are significantly associated with higher levels of future-oriented work ethic, with perceived supportive institutional culture emerging as the strongest predictor (β = 0.252; p < 0.001). It is particularly noteworthy that the effect of institutional and relational factors persisted even after controlling for social background variables. Our findings thereby corroborate the theoretical stance that future-oriented work ethic is not solely derived from individual attributes, but can be understood as an orientation shaped during higher education socialization through institutional and social environments. This is an especially important finding in light of the growing heterogeneity of the student body, as it suggests that a supportive institutional culture may contribute to strengthening the future orientation and long-term academic success of students from diverse social backgrounds.

  • Educational Psychology
    107-111
    Views:
    473

    Bibliography of the reviewed book: Santrock, J. W. (2018). Educational Psychology (6 Ed). McGraw-Hill Education.

     

  • Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation to Learn as Factors of Resilience in Students' Pedagogical Disciplines - Pilot Study
    17-23
    Views:
    726

    Motivation determines the dynamics of behaviour and helps in overcoming obstacles. A related concept is resilience, which also relates to overcoming stressful situations and speaks to an individual’s ability to adapt to challenging circumstances in life. The aim of this paper was to investigate the relationship between resilience and motivation to learn in students studying in the field of education. One hundred and thirty students participated in the research (100 bachelor students and 30 master students). The research instrument used to measure resilience was The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10) and to detemine motivation The Academic Motivation Scale (AMS-C 28) tool was used. The Mann-Whitney test found no significant difference between the two groups of students in each of the variables measured. The results show a significant association between resilience and types of intrinsic motivation in particular, but the strongest relationship was found between resilience and the lack of motivation. Students with low resilience scored higher on amotivation. For students at university, motivation to learn based on intrinsic drives is assumed to be self-evident. However, the ability to overcome obstacles is also necessary for the attainment of learning goals. Its degree can also be developed through educational intervention, which provides an opportunity for university teachers to expand their area of operation.

  • Exploring the ethical awareness of using artificial intelligence in Algerian tertiary education: Case of undergraduate and graduate EFL students at Souk-Ahras University
    71–86
    Views:
    92

    Ethical awareness is a pivotal component of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students’ identity in that it allows them to scrutinize their approach to learning which ensures their autonomy. Therefore, this study explores the ethical awareness of EFL students at Souk-Ahras University, Algeria. This study focuses on the use of Artificial Intelligence by students for their learning. It investigates their variating perceptions on and reactions towards AI for study and whether those views fit into the universal ethical code of conduct. This study employed a quantitative research approach with a descriptive research design. The sample studied consisted of 62 EFL students, selected through a random sampling technique. The collection of relevant data was done through a comprehensive survey. Data analysis was done using statistical analysis. The findings showed that students utilize AI tools for multiple learning purposes while being cognizant of its ethical drawbacks. However, students expressed a shallow approach to ethical reflection and did not rely on an authentic ethical framework upon which their decisions should be made. The study suggests that the development and employment of such a framework should start with teachers, by not merely disseminating charters but also delivering ethical scrutiny through their teaching and counselling.

  • Teacher Work and Job Satisfaction among Romanian Lower Secondary Teachers
    93-100
    Views:
    547

    The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical based understanding of the Romanian context of teacher work, which provides an opportunity to identify characteristics considered to affect teaching activities and gives a basis for planning and conducting other research on teachers working conditions. The paper is based on authors' research which is a secondary analysis of Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2013 database. The database contains the survey responses of teachers of lower secondary education (ISCED 2) and the principals of their schools. During the investigation cross/tables, cluster analysis, linear and logistical analyses were used. Based on our research results, we can see that the factors attributed both to the individuals and to the elements of pedagogical culture show a strong correlation with the characteristics of the teaching and the satisfaction with the teaching. Considering the factors attributed to the individuals, professional development and the total career time is the most influential factor of job satisfaction and teacher’s self-efficacy. Among the variables included in the school culture dimension, the effectiveness of teacher work, the disciplined atmosphere, the values of student/teacher relationships and the positive effects of teacher-teacher relationships indicated satisfaction and self-efficacy.