1st Edition

Global Identity in Multicultural and International Educational Contexts Student identity formation in international schools

By Nigel Bagnall Copyright 2015
    156 Pages
    by Routledge

    154 Pages
    by Routledge

     The increased movement of people globally has changed the face of national and international schooling. Higher levels of mobility have resulted from both the willing movement of students and their families with a desire to create a better life, and the forced movement of refugee families travelling away from war, famine and other extreme circumstances. This book explores the idea that the complex connections created by the forces of globalisation have led to a diminishing difference between what were once described as international schools and national schools.

    By examining a selection of responses from students attending international schools in Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Philippines and Switzerland, the book discusses key issues surrounding identity and cosmopolitan senses of belonging. Chapters draw from current literature and recent qualitative research to highlight the concerns that students face within the international school community, including social, psychological, and academic difficulties. The interviews provide a rich and unique body of knowledge, demonstrating how perceptions of identity and belonging are changing, especially with affiliation to a national or a global identity. The notion that international students have become global citizens through their affiliation to a global rather than a national identity exhibits a changing and potentially irreversible trend.

    Global Identity in Multicultural and International Educational Contexts will be of key interest to researchers, academics and policy makers involved with international schooling and globalised education.

    Foreword  Glossary of Terms  1. Introduction  2. Methodological and theoretical considerations of identity formation  3. Global identity: international students perceptions of identity and belonging, a theoretical perspective  4. The significance of the school on student perceptions of affiliation and belonging  5. Countries of birth related aspects of belonging and identity  6. Making sense of belonging and global identity  7. Global identity  Appendix 1: Questionnaire

    Biography

    Nigel Bagnall is currently Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, Australia. He has worked in international schools and his world-acclaimed research has included work on intercultural sensitivity, education and belonging, youth transition into a global marketplace, and global identity formation.

    'The presentation of the book is easy to follow as Bagnall lists important terms and concepts in the early chapters, describes the longitudinal design of this study, and quotes students’ responses extensively in most chapters of the book to illustrate their feelings about international schooling. Such an in-depth qualitative study provides researchers and policy makers with valuable information on international schooling, student identity formation, globalized education, and ways of conducting cross-country educational research.' - Hao Wang, RELC, December 2015