An international education perspective study of teachers in the central United States

Abstract

The study explored nursery through secondary teachers’ perceptions of international education in their teaching practices. All teachers lived in a rural area of the central US. Data were drawn from a web-based survey comprised of 28 questions addressing international education; interview data provided further understanding of one teacher’s efforts toward internationalising curriculum in her classroom. Findings indicated that the teachers in this area of the US hold varying understandings of international education; despite their limited understanding of international education within the classroom context, teachers were eager for tools and strategies to internationalise their curricula and teaching practices. Results call for professional development to broaden teachers’ perspectives of international education and to explore advanced instructional approaches that incorporate global perspectives, and the role of language and culture in teaching. Last, we propose a model in which international education can be actualised within a formal educational context.

Keywords:

• International education
• globalisation
• international mindedness
• teachers’ perspectives
• teacher professional development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. US Peace Corps’ Paul D. Coverdell World Wise School: http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/.