Field work – MalaysiaAn intervarsity initiative placing Australian students in Malaysian schools

July 2014

Caroline WaltaLa Trobe UniversityFaculty of Education

c.walta@latrobe.edu.au

Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Practicum in KL

Program overview Developed through inter-university cooperation in association with the

Australian High Commission to Malaysia

Designed to provide professional practicum experience while developing cross-cultural skills and understandings and opportunities for the development of cultural literacy associated with engagement with Asia

Involves partnerships for mutual learning between Malaysian Partners, namely local schools and higher learning institutes and an association of universities from Australia

Initially came out of an agreement with Victorian deans but welcomes wider participation.

Overview of the program experience Has grown from a pilot of 16 to now 50 students from 6 universities

Currently completing the 4th iteration – Jan/July 2013, 2014

Involves a coordinator and meetings of organisers from each interested university several times a year.

Also involves working with an in-country organiser- vital for the setting up of the program, orientation days, initial meetings with key personnel, excursion and orientation experiences

Students are supported through successful application for an Asia Bound grant of $2000.

The grant funds two staff members from each university to accompany students

Working in the schools

Overview of the staff experience Accompanying staff stay the full 3 weeks if possible

Strive for a ration of 1:15

Visit schools to ensure clarity of purpose and then visit students to give feedback on teaching throughout the placement

Stay in Quest type shared accommodation together with students

Are available for consultation and help with lesson planning after the school day

Accompany students on weekend excursions and all orientation activities

Overview of student experience Some universities count this as a placement- others as fieldwork

A generic assessment from the mentor for all unis. Where needed uni specific forms for visiting academics

Free to travel outside and socialise outside of school hours.

Placed in shared room accommodation to facilitate social interaction

Teach in schools according to method

Either attend morning or afternoon school

Teaching in Malaysia- reflection on learning in a different cultural context

Research into potential gains of international practicum experience Research highlights the progress of goals associated with global teaching and

learning over the past few decades.

Cultural enrichment and second language acquisition towards the development of intercultural competence linked to concepts of cultural identity, global citizenship and global competence- which could not be developed staying at home(Dunkley, M, 2009; Vande Berg, M. 2007)

The development of an appreciation of cultural diversity as part of cultural competence

Some research highlights the need for effective pre-and post preparation, and opportunities for guided reflection on learning to maximise the benefits

Personal experience An involvement over almost 2 years

Responded to an invitation to accompany students

Attended one initial preparation session with accompanying staff and students. Practical in-country preparation material discussed

Prepared a presentation on the role of the mentor to share with university colleagues in Malaysia

Met with my fellow supervisor at the airport and travelled together.

Negotiated traffic to arrive at IPBA for a gathering of all stakeholders

Our in country meeting

Primary school teaching in KL

General feedback- organisational perspective Needs a cooperative team of core people to work with the ongoing program

An in-country organiser who is paid out of student costs is essential

Students need careful orientation, monitoring and support as the experience is culturally very different from Australia

No student has left early but some find it very challenging

Important to screen students for the capacity to cope with change, social and cultural demands.

Some reflections by students Critical of orientation efforts before commencing teaching

Overall very positive about the experience and would recommend it to others

Generally challenged by everything- heat, travelling, teaching conditions, adjusting to living conditions

Generally adjust well and form close bonds and empathy with students

Quite demanding about what they expect from Australian academics

Some concerns about safety associated with travel in country

Feedback on current experience 50 students

Health and safety an issue in this venue

Experiences vary as mentors interpret responsibilities

Cultural impact on mentoring an issue

Academics are kept busy monitoring the experience of PST

Value adding associated with debriefing and reflection

Teaching experience is very different from Australia but nevertheless valuable for intercultural understanding

Malaysian school experience

Group work!

References Dunkley, M. (2009). What students are actually learning on study abroad

and how to improve the learning experience.

Vande Berg, M. (2007). Intervening in the Learning in U.S. students abroad. Journal of Studies in International Education 2007 11:392