ABSTRACT
The chapter analyzes the impact of increasing numbers of host country nationals on the nature of international schooling in Asia. By drawing on Cortazzi & Jin’s (2006) concept of cultures of learning and considering the relationship between international schooling and Western approaches to education, it explores the extent to which Asian students experience a culture clash when entering international schools in their own nations. Research from across the region identifies a number of tensions that may be exacerbated as a result of this increase:
Conflicting regulatory frameworks
Conflicting educational values
Conflicting social values
How these tensions may be played out is examined by focusing on a study of host-country national students and their expatriate teachers in Malaysia. The data suggest that these students are more comfortable with the tensions than their educators and that they see the differences as opportunities rather than threats. The chapter concludes that contrasting cultures of learning and the ensuing cultural revelations are two of the strengths of international schooling for host country nationals. In addition, it suggests that a strengthening of the relationship between international schools and their host communities should be seen as an opportunity, not a threat, for the schools.
