"It's About Mutual Respect": Exploring the Leadership Practices of Bilingual School Principals in Abu Dhabi

• In Event: 30.080 - Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: 30.080-18 - Policy, Equity, and Bilingual Students

Abstract

This qualitative research study explores the leadership practices of 20 school leaders of bilingual schools in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Emerging themes include values school leaders consider to be important, their beliefs about bilingual education, building cohesive school communities and challenges Emirati and expatriate leaders face in supporting bilingual teaching and learning. We argue for more research on leadership practices in bilingual schools and assert the importance of turning towards, exploring and learning from bilingual education programs in non-western contexts such as the Middle-East.

Authors

• Patience A. Sowa, Senior Research Education Analyst

• Lolowa Al Marzouqi, Zayed University