Exploring visual narrative inquiry approaches in teacher identity studies

As human beings, we use various artistic forms to communicate. Images, such as photographs and drawings, can express what is sometimes difficult to put into words. They can also present multiple points of view simultaneously. This paper aims to discuss the value of visual methods in narrative inquiries exploring the (re)shaping of language teachers’ identity. Visual materials are understood here as visual narratives, through which participants tell and make sense of their experiences. I draw on my own experiences of using visual narratives, such as drawings and timelines, in two narrative inquiries focusing on the professional identity (re)shaping of Brazilian English teachers. The first explored six pre-service English teachers’ professional identity (re)construction as they designed and implemented language teaching materials throughout an academic year. The pre-service teachers were asked to produce three drawings: one representing an English teacher, and two depicting themselves as English teachers. The second investigated how six in-service English teachers exercised their resilience during the first months of the pandemic and the impact of this experience on their professional identity. The in-service teachers were asked to produce one timeline representing their professional career and one drawing depicting their experience of teaching in the pandemic. Field texts in the two studies were analysed for their holistic-content, using a critical visual methodology. This paper is a narrative inquiry on conducting visual narrative research: I compose meanings about this process, and discuss the value of visual narrative approaches situating my experiences alongside other researchers’ reflections on the potential of visual methods for qualitative studies. The formative, empirical and analytical value of visual methods is explored. I highlight how visual methods can operate as tools for reflection, and resources for accessing participants’ narratives of experience and identifying themes and threads articulated in them.