Do you want to be a teacher or do you want to get a degree in education studies? If that’s the case, you should be aware that the educational environment is rapidly changing as a result of globalisation, the growing number of foreign schools, and the the migration of students and teachers around the world.
What does this mean for you as the need for foreign teachers grows? What are colleges doing to prepare the next generation of educators?
What does it mean to get a ‘international education’?
The controversy over what “international education” really entails is still going on, with many people claiming it refers to a different conceptual approach of comprehensive education that broadens viewpoints, fosters diverse interactions, and promotes cross-border creativity and ideas.
International schools have historically served geographically mobile expatriate families who work in international companies, foreign embassies, and other similar establishments. Local students can, however, attend the schools, not least to learn the language used as the school’s medium of instruction (usually English).
Understanding the idea of foreign education like in Great Lakes College is twofold for those who are either pursuing or planning to study an education degree. Throughout your research, you will immediately become a member of a real and vibrant world society, where you will gain unique exposure to a diverse variety of cultures, religions, languages, and viewpoints.
Beyond your studies and through your future, you should think about the classroom atmosphere in which you teach – promoting diversity and inclusivity among students where culture and language might have previously been barriers.
International education serves as a tool for global transformation.
The world of international education is a melting pot of people, and studying from a global viewpoint means that students are introduced to a variety of cultures, cultural groups, faiths, and languages, enriching society and broadening everyone’s academic experience.
The Great Lakes College of Toronto also creates a multicultural learning space, which is suitable for growing students’ cultural sensitivity and promoting their understanding and respect of people from diverse backgrounds.
A global theme that is picking up steam
Training is at the centre of global growth, and with globalisation making it cheaper than ever for families to relocate for jobs and research opportunities, it’s easy to see that a foreign education will be appealing.
Asia is a growing star in international education, thanks to the rapid growth of English-medium international schools in the area, especially in Hong Kong, which has long been regarded as a vibrant international city ideally situated at the crossroads between east and west, north and south.
The growing popularity of the International Baccalaureate and Cambridge Assessment systems, as well as the need for a “Western-style” curriculum, are transforming the educational landscape in Asia and elsewhere.
