Abstract

This study attempts to identify the factors that predict novice teachers’ job satisfaction. Along with its related factors, job satisfaction is important because many novice teachers experience difficulties that cause a decline in job satisfaction and many leave the profession at an early stage. A comparative study was carried out in two socio-culturally different countries, Estonia and Sri Lanka. The sample included 44 Estonian novice teachers and 30 Sri Lankan novice teachers. The findings indicate that a sense of community is the most powerful predictor of novice teachers’ job satisfaction for both groups. Novice teachers’ intrinsic motivation is independent of job satisfaction and self-efficacy.