Language Policy as a Focal Point in English-Medium International Schools

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47747/ijets.v2i3.780

Keywords:

international school, language policy, professional development, self-efficacy

Abstract

A language policy in an international school is a document that should state how language will be taught, learned, and used. In essence, a language policy can provide organization and cohesion for an international school as it works to deliver a curriculum to the students, and many students enrolled in international schools are English language learners (ELLs). This quantitative survey-based study aimed to investigate teacher adherence and knowledge of language policy in English-medium international schools. Also explored was the provision of professional development for working with ELLs and teacher self-efficacy when teaching ELLs in relation to language policy knowledge. Compared to previously reported data, key findings showed a rise in the percentage of teachers reporting their school had a language policy and a lower percentage of teachers reporting they were consistently following the policy. Additional findings were that less than half of the participants reported their school provided a medium or higher frequency of professional development for working with ELLs, and teachers who had knowledge of the language policy had higher self-efficacy levels when teaching ELLs than teachers who had no knowledge of a language policy.

Author Biographies

Clayton Lehman, Dongbei University

Clayton Lehman is a lecturer at the Centre for Academic English Studies at Surrey International Institute, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in Dalian, China. Clayton has taught in schools and universities in China, South Korea, the United States, and Vietnam. He holds a Master’s Degree in Education in TESOL and Reading from Eastern New Mexico University and an Education Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Lamar University. His research interests include language policy, language and content acquisition, and international education.

Brett Welch, Lamar University

Dr. Brett Welch is an Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership in the Center for Doctoral Studies in the College of Education at Lamar University. He holds a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Leadership from Northwestern State University and a Ph.D. in Curriculum Instruction with concentrations in Adult Learning and Educational Evaluation from the University of New Orleans.

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Published

2022-07-29

How to Cite

Lehman, C., & Welch, B. (2022). Language Policy as a Focal Point in English-Medium International Schools. International Journal of Education, Teaching, and Social Sciences, 2(3), 37-48. https://doi.org/10.47747/ijets.v2i3.780

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 3 (2022): International Journal of Education, Teaching, and Social Sciences

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2022 Clayton Lehman, Brett Welch

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