Teaching and Transferring Life Skills From the Classroom: A Qualitative Study of Iranian Physical Education Teachers’ Perceptions

Purpose : This study aimed to explore Iranian physical education (PE) teachers’ perspectives on developing students’ life skills. Method : A qualitative survey-based research approach was utilized to gather the research data. The study included 81 Iranian teachers who completed an open-ended questionnaire that was developed based on the life skills development research literature. Responses to the questionnaires were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results : Results indicated that teachers perceive that PE fosters an array of life skills in students (e.g., teamwork and emotional regulation). In additional, six pathways for teaching life skills in PE were put forth by the teachers: (a) classroom management techniques, (b) instructional design activities, (c) interaction techniques, (d) teacher-role modeling, (e) direct approaches, and (f) the utilization of space, equipment, and educational materials. In practice, PE teachers suggest integrating life skills into the curriculum, teacher training courses, and trainee supervision to enhance life skills development.