Taking on Greater Responsibilities: Understanding the Role of Local Teachers in International Schools in China

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 9:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Teaching Lives in China: Pathways, Responsibilities, and Renewal

Abstract

Drawing on semi-structured interviews with experienced educators in the field of international schooling in China, this study explores the nuanced role of local Chinese teachers in these schools and the underlying factors that define their roles. The findings suggest that local teachers are becoming more central to the operations of international schools, compared to the supportive roles they once played during the initial development of the field. Additionally, the study indicates that the alignment between the perceived characteristics of Chinese teachers and the result-oriented approach, which is becoming more prevalent in international schools in China, may have contributed to the prominence of local Chinese teachers.

Author

• Chen Zhao, University of Cambridge