Exploring Ethnic Chinese Teachers’ Roles and Strategies in Taiwan’s International Schools: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Transnational, Multilingual, and Cross-Cultural (Table 10)

Abstract

Influenced by Western standards, international schools serve as vibrant hubs where teacher interactions transcend cultural boundaries. This study examines how ethnic Chinese language teachers in Taiwan engage in the Western-hegemonized environments of international schools and explore their strategies to navigate cross-cultural dynamics and redefine their roles. Data from the interviews with 32 ethnic Chinese teachers highlight potential dissonances in teacher identity formation when the Chinese heritage values converge with the school policies and practices. The study proposes a typology of Taiwanese teachers, shedding light on their roles and strategies in developing intercultural proficiency while preserving cultural heritage. Findings illuminate how Chinese values influence the career trajectories of ethnic Chinese teachers within international school settings.

Author

• Warangkana Lin, I-Shou University