Outcomes from international teaching placements – what’s in it for the receiving side? A case of Norwegian preservice teachers in Indian schools

ABSTRACT

International teaching placements are offered to students in many Initial Teacher Education institutions. The outcomes for preservice teachers in these international settings are widely researched and debated, but few studies focus on the experience of the receiving side. This article investigates outcomes for Indian cooperating teachers in eight schools after receiving cohorts of Norwegian preservice teachers on placement over a period of twenty years. Through an analysis of qualitative research interviews with twenty-one Indian teachers, the article explores how a host community perceives and assesses its outcomes from the placements. The article finds that the teachers view their outcomes mainly in terms of exposure to new and different pedagogical methods, and as personal enrichment through encountering a foreign culture. The impact on pedagogical practices or school culture however, seems to be minimal due to systemic differences and barriers.

KEYWORDS:

• Overseas student teaching
• international teaching placement
• cooperating teachers
• supervision

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the participating teachers from Maharashtra state for generously contributing their time to this study.

Ethics statement

The project was registered with the Norwegian Social Science Data Services (NSD) and all participants gave informed consent.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Åsmund Aamaas

Åsmund Aamaas is an associate professor in social studies at the University of South-Eastern Norway. His research interests include internationalisation of higher education, diversity in education and sustainable education.

Tuva Skjelbred Nodeland

Tuva Skjelbred Nodeland is an assistant professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway. Her research interests include the theory and practice of history teaching, and diversity in education.

Knut Duesund

Knut Duesund is an associate professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway. His research interests include diversity in education and comparative religion.