International-mindedness: the implications for pre-service teachers
Conference Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Internationalisation of education is no longer exclusively an agenda for higher education. Many schools around Australia are modifying their policies and curriculum, with the aim of developing successful cross-cultural communicators and competent internationally minded citizens. Through a case study approach this research project examined a State High School in North Queensland, to review the impact of the school's internationalisation on students and the wider school community. It was found that the process of internationalising a school is complex and challenging, and often requires transformation at different levels within the school. Of these levels of transformation, it is the development of internationally minded teachers that gives schools one of the greatest opportunities to impact on student international mindedness. Teachers have the greatest impact on student outcomes out of all other controllable factors. As a result, making its debut into the teaching profession now comes with a new range of challenges. Current literature suggests that the international experience in schools is often tokenistic, such as a cursory celebration of foreign culture or a cultural studies unit with limited scope. In this global century, it is necessary that all Universities around Australia take appropriate steps to internationalise their teachers' education training so that upon graduation, teachers will be capable of assisting schools in creating internationally minded school leavers. More than ever before, the next generation of teachers need to be explicitly taught what international mindedness is and how they can develop it in their students. This paper will first introduce the concept of international mindedness. It then explains how teachers' perspectives on international-mindedness can be identified. It will conclude with a review of the implications of international education for pre-service teachers in secondary school settings in Australia.
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ATEA 2013: Australian Teacher Education Association Annual Conference
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14
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Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Australian Teacher Education Association
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Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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