This qualitative research study analyses the causal conditions of educational, cultural and ideological issues that emerged as a result of Expatriate teaching experiences in secondary schools in Singapore. The study also examines how the foreign educational environment affects the performance of the Expatriate Teacher (ExT). Specifically, the results provide insight into how Expatriate Teachers (ExTs) conceive of notions of work, teaching and learning and how they come to terms with, and adjust to employment within a foreign teaching environment. Seven teacher-participants were selected on the basis of their individual experiences as an ExT or experiences working alongside ExTs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in the UK, Singapore and Australia to explore teacher-participants' teaching conceptions and experiences. Two Pilot interviews were conducted prior to the Interview Schedules being made available to the participants. One pilot interview was subsequently included in the analysis. Aspects of Grounded Theory methodology, in particular the Constant Comparison method, were utilised to categorise and analyse data. Analysis of the data was also facilitated using the computer software programme NUD*IST 6. The findings identified three related and interwoven themes which categorised the issues as experienced by the seven teacher-participants. One is the Conditional Variables of the physical, structural and organizational setting. The second is the resident Proficiencies and Attributes of the ExT, which includes ideologies, values and expectations. The third includes Configurations of Culture such as work culture, subject culture and cultural adaptations. The study outlines how Incongruity and Dissonance can operate within and between these three themes and indicates implications for improving the experiences of ExTs and other stakeholders.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/265315 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Vial, David G. |
| Publisher | Queensland University of Technology |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Copyright David G. Vial |
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