Chinese PETE teachers’ dispositions towards the student-centred approach in the new national physical education and health curriculum standard and what shapes them.

Abstract

China’s 2022 Physical Education and Health (PEH) Curriculum Standard for Compulsory Education emphasises student-centred, inquiry-based, and collaborative learning, signalling a shift from traditional skill-based approaches towards pedagogies that foster active engagement and autonomy. These reforms provide a context for examining how physical education teacher education teachers interpret and

respond to student-centred approaches. Closely aligned with these principles, student-centred approaches (game-based approaches, GBA) have gradually emerged in physical education (PE) and coaching, such as ‘Teaching Games for Understanding’ and ‘Game Sense’. These approaches prioritise the development of tactical awareness, decision-making, and problem-solving through games rather than isolated skill drills. Existing studies have shown that the GBA shapes teachers’ beliefs and

practices, while also revealing the challenges associated with its implementation. Despite this, empirical evidence remains limited on how PETE teachers in China understand and implement GBA. This study employs a narrative inquiry methodology to examine the dispositions of twelve PETE teachers in Kunming, China, towards GBA, and to explore how these dispositions have been shaped by personal experiences, professional preparation, teaching practices, and socio-cultural contexts. Through thematic analysis, four themes were identified: 1) belief in the pivotal importance of mastering skill, separate from the game; 2) the powerful influence of exposure to player-centred coaching overseas; 3) professional and elite-level coaching before and during university; 4) institutional assessment and policy. The findings indicate that accumulated experiences and socio-cultural interactions within the specific cultural and educational context shape PETE teachers’ dispositions towards GBA in China. While GBA is acknowledged at a theoretical level, its practical application remains constrained by multiple factors.