comment

Conference provides food for thought

Mary Hayden and Jeff Thompson introduce the themes that emerge in this new issue

Though we did not set out to base this issue of International School around a specific focus, it happens that a number of contributions this time have picked up related themes. Several have been prompted by authors’ participation in the October 2019 conference of the Alliance for International Education, which provided food for thought across different contexts – not least for the impressive students of the ITEps (International Teacher Education for primary schools) programme who aspire to careers in international schooling. Linked, loosely perhaps, to the idea of preparing for teaching in international schools is the Enko Education project described by Keith Allen, which provides international education for students in Africa at affordable rates through recruiting and supporting almost exclusively local, rather than expatriate, teachers. Indeed the theme of international education provided by ‘local’ teachers also occurs, in a different context, in Richard Mast’s informative article relating to the rapid growth of international schools in China established in response to increasing demand from Chinese as well as expatriate students. Richard’s reminder of just some of the issues arising as growing numbers of Western teachers take up posts in a very different cultural context from that of their previous experience, interacting with not only Chinese students but also Chinese teachers, is timely and important. Local teachers are highlighted too in James Hatch’s challenge to international schools to reflect on the differential contracts often operating in many parts of the world across overseas-hire, local (but expatriate) hire, and local teachers. Is it time for the hierarchy to be re-thought?

The value of employing local personnel is raised in two articles which focus on the very positive contribution to be made in international schools by local Teaching Assistants, who provide stability when expatriate teachers move on, who understand the local context, and who will often welcome support in developing relevant skills and expertise. The empowering of Teaching Assistants described in very different cultural contexts by Catherine Ige and Helen Chatburn-Ojehomon in Nigeria, and Celine McKinley in Jakarta, remind us of the value to an international school of the resource available through other contributors than the often higher profile expatriate teachers and administrators. Indeed, are we looking – across all of these articles, relating to local teachers and local Teaching Assistants – at the answer to the question noted by Liz Free as to how the future demand for international school teachers predicted by ISC Research will be met? Are we seeing the beginning of a major shift away from the traditional expectation of most teachers in international schools having to be globally mobile expatriates? More contributions on this topic for future IS issues will be welcome! And in thinking ahead to the next issue, we will also welcome articles with a focus in some way on the complex issues arising from language teaching within international schools. Our deadline for receipt of articles is 1 February, and we look forward to hearing from budding (and, indeed, experienced) authors by that date. In the meantime, we hope you will enjoy reading the current issue as much as we have enjoyed compiling it!

We’d like to hear your thoughts on this and any other articles in this magazine Email: editor@is-mag.com

Mary Hayden and Jeff Thompson Editors Jonathan Barnes Editorial Director James Rudge Production Director Alex Sharratt Managing Director

For Editorial enquiries contact Mary Hayden and Jeff Thompson Email: editor@is-mag.com Website: www.is-mag.com

International School© is published by John Catt Educational Ltd, 15 Riduna Park, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1QT, UK Company registration 5762466 No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form or by any means.

International School is an independent magazine. The views expressed in signed articles do not necessarily represent those of the magazine. The magazine cannot accept any responsibility for products and services advertised within it.

International School© 2019 ISSN 1461-395 The following enquiries should be directed through John Catt Educational Ltd. Tel: 44 1394 389850

Advertising:

Madeleine Anderson, manderson@johncatt.com

Circulation:

Sara Rogers, srogers@johncatt.com

Accounts:

accounts@johncatt.com

Printed by Micropress Printers, Reydon, Suffolk.