International school
Encyclopedia
An International school is loosely defined as a school
that promotes international education
, in an international environment, either by adopting an international curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge International Examinations
, or by following a national curriculum different from that of the country the school is located in. More specifically, at a conference in Italy in 2009 the International Association of School Librarianship came up with a list criteria for describing an international school . They are as follows:
These schools cater mainly to students who are not nationals of the host country, such as the children of the staff of international business
es, international organizations, foreign embassies, missions, or missionary programs. Many local students attend these schools to learn the language of the international school and to obtain qualifications for employment or higher education
in a foreign country. In April 2007 there were 4,179 ‘English-speaking international schools. with this number set to rise with globalisation. Already in New Delhi worldwide entries for the Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) June 2009 examination session are up by almost 20% on the same session last year. The strong growth confirms the status of Cambridge IGCSE as the world's, and India's, most popular international curriculum for 14-16 year olds, indicating that despite the global financial crises education is still a valued investment. International Schooling allows children to become global citizens by providing a rigorous and comprehensive education with full immersion into multiple languages and cultures. In April 2007 there were 4,179 ‘English-speaking international schools’.
(DoDDS); French diplomats and business families founded similar schools based on the French curriculum.
Over time globalization has proven that education no longer can exist solely on a national level. “In a global economy, it is no longer improvement by national standards alone. The best performing education systems internationally provide the benchmark for success,” said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría launching the annual ‘education at a glance’ report in Paris. Increased movement of people around the globe has created a generation of children growing up and residing in foreign countries, creating and expanding this market for international schools that can cater for their educational needs.
or Education in the United States
. Many international schools use curricula specially designed for international school such as the International General Certificate of Secondary Education or the IB Diploma Programme
that are all predominantly committed to the notion of internationalism and the global citizen and providing an environment for optimal learning and teaching in an international setting that fosters understanding, independence, interdependence, and cooperation. The United Nations International School (UNIS) was established in 1947 by a group of United Nations Parents to promote an international education for their children, while preserving their diverse cultural heritages. This was the very first school offering the International Baccalaureate program . The school promotes the appreciation of the diversity of persons and cultures, provides an optimal environment for learning and teaching, and offers a global curriculum that inspires in its students the spirit and ideals of the United Nations Charter. Like other school
s, international schools teach the subjects such as language arts, mathematics, the sciences, humanities, the arts, physical education, information technology, and design technology. More recent developments specifically for primary school include the IB Primary Years Programme
(PYP) and the fast growing International Primary Curriculum (IPC). The International Preschool Curriculum (IPC) is increasingly being adopted by early year departments of international schools and international preschools. There are currently 3063 schools offering the international baccalaureate currlicum in the world.
For expatriate
families, international schools allow some continuity in education and most prefer to stay in the same curriculum, especially for older children. Relocation services and institutions like School Choice International
can help families choose the right school and curriculum for their child.
Hiring is frequently done at large international job fairs, such as the ones held by the Council of International Schools
(CIS), where schools can interview and hire several teachers at once. There are also a handful of agencies which specialise in recruiting international teachers. Over the years it has become harder to recruit young international teachers, partly because of international security fears, partly because the compensation packages are not as attractive as they used to be.
In some countries such as South Korea, recent visa changes have also made it more difficult to obtain both qualified and unqualified teachers.
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
that promotes international education
International education
International education can mean many different things and its definition is debated. Some have defined two general meanings according to its involvement of students...
, in an international environment, either by adopting an international curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge International Examinations
Cambridge International Examinations
University of Cambridge International Examinations is a provider of international qualifications for students between the ages of 14 and 19, offering examinations and qualifications in more than 150 countries. It is an Examination Board under Cambridge Assessment, founded in 1858 as a department...
, or by following a national curriculum different from that of the country the school is located in. More specifically, at a conference in Italy in 2009 the International Association of School Librarianship came up with a list criteria for describing an international school . They are as follows:
- a. Transferability of the student's education across international schools.
- b. A moving population (higher than in state schools).
- c. Multinational and multilingual student body
- d. An international curriculum.( e.g. IB - DP, MYP, PYP)
- e. International accreditation (e.g. CIS, IBO, North Eastern ASC, Weston Ass. of Schools and colleges were mentioned by the group).
- f. A transient and multinational teacher population.
- g. Non-selective student enrollment.
- h. Usually English or bilingualMultilingualismMultilingualism is the act of using, or promoting the use of, multiple languages, either by an individual speaker or by a community of speakers. Multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. Multilingualism is becoming a social phenomenon governed by the needs of...
as the language of instruction
These schools cater mainly to students who are not nationals of the host country, such as the children of the staff of international business
International Business
International business is a term used to collectively describe all commercial transactions that take place between two or more regions, countries and nations beyond their political boundary...
es, international organizations, foreign embassies, missions, or missionary programs. Many local students attend these schools to learn the language of the international school and to obtain qualifications for employment or higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
in a foreign country. In April 2007 there were 4,179 ‘English-speaking international schools. with this number set to rise with globalisation. Already in New Delhi worldwide entries for the Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) June 2009 examination session are up by almost 20% on the same session last year. The strong growth confirms the status of Cambridge IGCSE as the world's, and India's, most popular international curriculum for 14-16 year olds, indicating that despite the global financial crises education is still a valued investment. International Schooling allows children to become global citizens by providing a rigorous and comprehensive education with full immersion into multiple languages and cultures. In April 2007 there were 4,179 ‘English-speaking international schools’.
Establishment
The first International schools were founded in the latter half of the 19th century in countries such as Japan, Switzerland and Turkey. Early International schools were set up for those who are constantly on the move, like children of personnel of international companies, international organizations, NGOs, embassy staff with the help of nations having large interests in the hosting nation: for instance, American diplomats and missionaries often set up schools to educate their children; children of American military and army families often attended Department of Defense Dependents SchoolsDepartment of Defense Dependents Schools
The Department of Defense Dependents Schools are a network of schools, both primary and secondary, that serve dependents of United States military - and other non-US - personnel outside the United States. The schools themselves are operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity...
(DoDDS); French diplomats and business families founded similar schools based on the French curriculum.
Over time globalization has proven that education no longer can exist solely on a national level. “In a global economy, it is no longer improvement by national standards alone. The best performing education systems internationally provide the benchmark for success,” said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría launching the annual ‘education at a glance’ report in Paris. Increased movement of people around the globe has created a generation of children growing up and residing in foreign countries, creating and expanding this market for international schools that can cater for their educational needs.
Curriculum
International schools typically use curricula based on the school's country of origin. The most common international schools represent Education in the United KingdomEducation in England
Education in England is overseen by the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Local authorities take responsibility for implementing policy for public education and state schools at a regional level....
or Education in the United States
Education in the United States
Education in the United States is mainly provided by the public sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. Child education is compulsory.Public education is universally available...
. Many international schools use curricula specially designed for international school such as the International General Certificate of Secondary Education or the IB Diploma Programme
IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
that are all predominantly committed to the notion of internationalism and the global citizen and providing an environment for optimal learning and teaching in an international setting that fosters understanding, independence, interdependence, and cooperation. The United Nations International School (UNIS) was established in 1947 by a group of United Nations Parents to promote an international education for their children, while preserving their diverse cultural heritages. This was the very first school offering the International Baccalaureate program . The school promotes the appreciation of the diversity of persons and cultures, provides an optimal environment for learning and teaching, and offers a global curriculum that inspires in its students the spirit and ideals of the United Nations Charter. Like other school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
s, international schools teach the subjects such as language arts, mathematics, the sciences, humanities, the arts, physical education, information technology, and design technology. More recent developments specifically for primary school include the IB Primary Years Programme
IB Primary Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is an educational programme managed by the International Baccalaureate for students aged 3 to 11. While the programme prepares students for the IB Middle Years Programme, it is not a prerequisite for it...
(PYP) and the fast growing International Primary Curriculum (IPC). The International Preschool Curriculum (IPC) is increasingly being adopted by early year departments of international schools and international preschools. There are currently 3063 schools offering the international baccalaureate currlicum in the world.
For expatriate
Expatriate
An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing...
families, international schools allow some continuity in education and most prefer to stay in the same curriculum, especially for older children. Relocation services and institutions like School Choice International
School Choice International
School Choice International specializes in education consulting for transnational companies and globally mobile families. The company has three main functions: aid relocating families find schools, help global companies set educational policy in regards to their employee’s children, and provide...
can help families choose the right school and curriculum for their child.
Faculty
Faculty at International Schools are usually from or certified by the standards of their country of origin. However there are many exceptions. The most common exception is when the international school requires a teacher trained specifically for an international syllabus or for teaching a foreign language rare to the international school's country of origin.Hiring is frequently done at large international job fairs, such as the ones held by the Council of International Schools
Council of International Schools
The Council of International Schools is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which aims to improve international education...
(CIS), where schools can interview and hire several teachers at once. There are also a handful of agencies which specialise in recruiting international teachers. Over the years it has become harder to recruit young international teachers, partly because of international security fears, partly because the compensation packages are not as attractive as they used to be.
In some countries such as South Korea, recent visa changes have also made it more difficult to obtain both qualified and unqualified teachers.
Criticisms
- It has been noted that international schools only cater for the wealthy and privileged
- There is also criticism suggesting that international schools are purely a way of commercialising education
- Because of the higher fees charged, the actual existence of international schools will widen the gap between the rich and the poor
See also
- List of international schools
- Council of International SchoolsCouncil of International SchoolsThe Council of International Schools is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which aims to improve international education...
- European Council of International SchoolsEuropean Council of International SchoolsThe European Council of International Schools - ECIS is an association of international schools founded in 1965. ECIS is a collaborative network promoting the ideals and best practice of international education....
- International Baccalaureate
- Cambridge International ExaminationsCambridge International ExaminationsUniversity of Cambridge International Examinations is a provider of international qualifications for students between the ages of 14 and 19, offering examinations and qualifications in more than 150 countries. It is an Examination Board under Cambridge Assessment, founded in 1858 as a department...
- International Preschool Curriculum
- International Schools Services