Education is a key parameter that defines life and one’s contribution to society. This clash of allegiances puts the parents at a crossroads as they wish for the best for their children and this comes down to either local or international schools.
Both have their benefits and drawbacks and it might not be easy to decide while selecting between these two, all depends on the curriculum, kind of teaching, cultural exchange programs, and what one wants to be in the future.
This article aims to help readers gain clear knowledge regarding the distinguishing features of local and international schools. In this way, it will be possible to understand their differences and observe how various factors that characterize academic learning are affected in such institutions.
1. Curriculum Differences
a. Local Schools
Local schools follow systems or curricula laid down by the national education systems. This curriculum is normally developed to address different needs and requirements of the country’s School system.
For instance, the United States has Common Core State Standards in its public schools while in the United Kingdom, the Schools implement National Curriculum.
Such curriculums are often combined with national tests and evaluations, such as GCSE in England or SATs in The United States of America.
Curricula Strength
On the flip side, one can argue that local curricula’s strength is teaching students about their history, language, and culture. This education sometimes entails focusing on subject areas deemed important by the state such as mathematics, sciences, and the national language.
However, it can also be said that the lack of flexibility in the local curriculum is one of its advantages as well as drawbacks.
While it guarantees that students will obtain the same knowledge and skills as each of their teachers wants them to get, it may limit the scope of choices and concentration on the international context.
b. International Schools
On the other hand, international schools are known to use curricula that are accepted worldwide for instance the International Baccalaureate, the Cambridge International Examinations, or the American Advanced Placement system.
These curricula can be described as general curricula whose aim is to equip each learner with an education that will enable him/her to access higher education anywhere in the globe.
Global Curricula
It is noteworthy that, all global curricula incorporate problem-solving, innovation, and global perspective and allow students to transcend national borders.
For instance, IB offers parts like the Theory of Knowledge or Tok which seeks to have the students ponder about issues regarding knowledge and knowing.
In addition, it is often observed that very many international schools provide students with a greater array of subjects, options, and options, thus students can choose according to their abilities.
This flexibility makes it possible for the students to follow their interests and this can be either the sciences, arts, or humanity classes.
2. Teaching Methodologies
a. Local Schools
Many local schools are still bound by traditional methods that can be characterized by structured classroom settings, teacher-centred approaches, rote learning, and memorization.
These methods may be because students have to prepare to sit for the standardized national examination hence translating IO to better discipline and focus on their education.
The Approach
This approach can be very useful in providing basic information and skills as well as being rather useful in keeping up high academic standards.
However, it may also lead to a narrow learning environment where much focus is not placed on creativity and individualism.
Also, the role of the teacher and students in local schools is quite rigid with the teacher being the master and having full control.
This can produce a logical organization of a classroom, although the approach can potentially stifle class discussions and individual ideas as well as suppress the learners’ ability to think on their own.
b. International Schools
However, most international schools have more liberal instructional methods that foster student-centred learning, use more inquiry, and increase critical thinking.
This is because the teacher participates in determining what will be taught, but is not directly responsible for teaching, as s/he mainly guides the students in answering questions, and gets the students to think and research on their own.
IB Program
For instance, in the IB program, students are prompted to follow their passion in their research activities and essays for example the Extended Essay, which is an independent learning activity that involves extensive investigation into a topic of the student’s choice.
This approach to learning is common in international schools where the students are allowed to learn through the practical approach that involves projects, and activities, among other ways. This is less boring and more suitable for students while aiding in the development of a deeper understanding of the subject.
Another advantage of teaching methods used in international schools is that they are more free-form and thus can provide a tailored learning process where a child would learn and gravitate towards certain topics at a pace comfortable for them.
3. Cultural Exposure and Diversity
a. Local Schools
Globally, local schools are known to emulate the cultural, social, and ethnic demographics of the district in which they are situated. There can be the ability to give students a strong and defined identity since the students grow up with similar peers and cultural beliefs.
The Cross-Section of Society
In many a situation, the local school mirrors a cross-section of society in as far as exhibiting the aspirations of the nation and inculcating the cultural values of the people.
For instance, some students from local schools may engage in activities concerning regional festivities, and historical and cultural practices and master the national language.
Conversely, the local schools may only offer a similar learning environment thus depriving students of an opportunity to encounter various cultures and global aspects.
Although they could become thoroughly enmeshed in their local environment, they could be exposed to different students considerably.
b. International Schools
International schools by default as the name rightly suggests operate for more populations with interrelated distinctions, which include nationality, culture, and language.
This diversity creates a condition whereby students can get acquainted with different attitudes, cultures, and perceptions of the global society with the view of developing an international outlook.
The Policy on Multiculturalism
The policy on multiculturalism in international schools is well-held, and this is helped by having an annual event, for example, International Day within which they showcase their cultural backgrounds by, for instance, preparing foods of their countries, dancing, and singing.
This not only helps in enhancing the learning service but also imparts the cultural relevance quality to the youngsters.
The Acquisition of Knowledge
In addition, most international schools intervene in the value of learning more languages which is such a great bonus in contemporary society. The acquisition of knowledge: The students will be able to interact with other cultures through the learning of several languages.
It is common for international schools to provide a more globalized view, which is more advantageous, especially to student who wish to further their studies or work overseas since they acquire the skills required by the globalization age.
4. Extracurricular Activities
a. Local Schools
Activities that children may be participating in local schools are socially attached to the community and the nation. Sports, music, dramatics, etc are generally planned to correlate with the academic program to inculcate in the students the ideals of cooperation, punctuality, school spirit, etc.
This means that the clubs and other related activities are in line with the social issues embraced by the geographical locality in which the school is situated.
For instance, schools in provincial areas will have more emphasis on agricultural activities, and schools in the city will have more emphasis on technological and business-orientated activities.
Activity Emphasis
In local schools, the emphasis of the activities is placed on the mere involvement and creation of togetherness without much concern for competitiveness.
However, if compared to other schools, it will be possible to note that access to extracurricular activities may considerably differ due to the geographical location of the school and the amount of money spent on its maintenance, which in turn, may also affect the number of possibilities available for students.
b. International Schools
International schools tend to provide even more and a wider number of extracurricular activities since the students’ interests and abilities may be different.
These activities are usually in sync with the spirit of the school’s educational program, which is to produce an all-around child.
Curricula Activities
Examples of co-curricular activities of students in international schools include; Model United Nations, robotics clubs, international sports competitions, and cultural exchange programs among others.
All these activities complement students’ learning process besides crucial lessons in leadership, teamwork, and time management among others.
The Community Service
Furthermore, more and more international schools dedicate a significant amount of attention to community service and Global Citizenship meaning that more students get involved in projects that aim to improve conditions in the community.
There are also benefits of promoting empathy cultivating values of social justice and serving students such as the ability to want to change the world.
To add to this, the various opportunities offered for co-curricular participation in international schools enable learners to also pursue their interests, hence acquiring new skills and thus overall development.
5. Cost and Accessibility
a. Local Schools
The best thing that could be said about local schools is that they are cheap to manage and run. These include; Public schools which are partly or fully funded by the government hence they offer tuition to students of all classes.
As for the private local schools, they are cheaper than international schools, although they are more expensive than public ones.
The Accessibility
This shows that local schools are cheaper hence many people can afford education making education accessible to most people. Moreover, local schools are more likely to be conveniently located and within students’ vicinity hence they do not require long travel.
However, the advantage of choosing local schools is that they are more cost-friendly but some of them lack good resources and some infrastructure to support learning.
Personally, it was an eye-opener, especially regarding the teacher’s remuneration, accessibility of other resources, class sizes, and the funding that public schools receive in comparison with private ones.
b. International Schools
On the other hand, international schools cost much more than normal school fees, especially in international schools where tuition may be too expensive for many people to afford. It is often coupled with the better resources, facilities, and prospects that exist in international schools.
As an Investment
Overall, an investment in international school education can be perceived as an investment for the future since the family concentrates on the education of their child under his/her talents, personality, and vision of the world; furthermore, this kind of education will be advantageous for those families who prioritize the importance of the multicultural approach and future preparation for studying abroad.
A rate-Limiting Factor
Nonetheless, international schools can be very expensive and thus be a rate-limiting factor to accessibility to these education opportunities, favouring only rich candidates. This may lead to the emergence of new forms of educational inequalities, which concerns the availability of opportunities offered by an international school.
6. Future Opportunities
a. Local Schools
Throughout the world, local schools are better integrated with the higher education institutions of their country, so students can see the path to the nation’s universities and colleges.
Local school students are always fair players in national examinations and they are already acquainted with the system of higher education of their country.
The local schools provide a good ground for the students who intend to study and work in their country.
By embracing the country’s history, language, and culture, it is possible to produce students who are ready to positively impact society and fit well into the local economy.
The Formulation
However, due to the formulation of national standards in education, students cannot be exposed to the international market most of the time.
Whereas most local schools do provide their students some means of exposure to the international community this could be as basic as learning a foreign language or participating in an exchange program compared to the international schools.
b. International Schools
Most international schools are usually planned bearing in mind that they will be preparing students for international higher education as well as international jobs.
Other curricula provided in international schools including the International Baccalaureate or A-levels may be accepted in various universities across the globe hence admission for the students becomes easier.
Thinking and Creativity
The values of critical thinking, creativity, and global-mindedness of students promoted by international schools enable students to succeed in a world that changes rapidly and is increasingly interconnected.
These skills are even more appreciated in the modern world being demanded by employers, first of all, in global companies.
Culture and Fluency
Moreover, the ability to be exposed to different cultures and fluency in the languages which is easily obtained when studying in international schools is a plus for the students as they are preparing themselves for the world market.
Multilingualism is also useful in today’s world, where one often has to address people from different cultures and in different languages, for instance in business or diplomacy.
However, this focus on the international perspective may narrow the ability to learn the cultural contexts of the countries in which these schools operate.
On the plus side, students receive more diverse information, on the negative side they seem to have less affiliation with their country’s culture and heritage.
7. Parental Involvement
a. Local Schools
In Anglo-American societies, parents have epsilon involvement in local schools and this may be related to the community. Parents could have more involved interaction with their children’s school, he or she can attend functions, teachers’ confidences, and school meetings, and can be involved in school organizations and BOGs.
The Children’s Education
Most local schools are thus closer to homes and this makes it easier for parents to be part of the school community hence contributing towards their children’s education more. It also can be most important in helping teachers promote student success as well as social connectedness and emotional security.
However, parents’ involvement in the decision-making process may differ from community to community as well as between the different schools.
At other times the parents may not be as assertive about the governance of their children’s education or they may lack enough time to balance their engagements with that of their children’s school.
b. International Schools
It is often possible to have more parental engagements in international schools because the families are different and there can be many more types of engagements.
Parent involvement is promoted through activities such as parent nights, workshops, and updating parents on school-related activities; however, the extent of parental involvement depends on the culture and time available to the parents.
New Environment
In the social aspect, it can thus be considered to play a central role that addresses the social needs of the expatriate families by offering them a sense of belonging in the new environment hence connecting them.
The expectations are that parents may turn to the school for assistance in dealing with the cultural disparities and ensuring the child’s stable schooling.
However, due to the high mobility of families in many international schools involving frequent transfer of the family to different countries, it may be challenging sometimes to involve parents highly.
This might also be because international schools are concerned with the international community hence parents differ in expectations and goals from those of local schools.
8. Social Environment and Peer Relationships
a. Local Schools
The social context of learners in local schools can also be tied to a certain community, the students often make friends with other learners from the same culture. These connections can make students rather cosy and stable because they have known each other for years.
Linguistic Solidarity
The studies of local schools can also build up cultural and linguistic solidarity that is healthier and that can enhance the sense of pride for their respective cultures among the students.
This might also allow the students to practice in national cultural activities, traditions, festivals, and events hence strengthening the students’ bond with their culture and community.
The Homogeneity
However, the homogeneity of the social setting in local schools also presents a disadvantage as it reduces the range of exposure of the students to variations in social contexts. As much as they can engage in long-lasting friendships they may rarely mix with peers of diverse origins.
b. International Schools
Another area that is normally different in international schools is the social context with the students hailing from different cultural, linguistic, and nationalistic backgrounds. This diversity can benefit students regarding social relatedness by allowing them to improve their insight into the world.
The Relationships
The relationships of children in international schools are learned to encompass colours and nations, thus causing them to understand and accept diversity. This can assist them in gaining sound interpersonal skills in the areas of communication that play the most important role in the global society of today.
High Mobility
However, what can be seen as a disadvantage is the rather high mobility of students in international schools because families in international schools often move in and out frequently.
The students also come from rather different cultures, which can result in cultural clashes, which, however, are considered rather valuable learning experiences in the context of international schools.
Selecting between a local school and an international school is one of the most important decisions that parents need to make for their child as this process may define the child’s future and opportunities for him or her.
Each of these choices comes with benefits and drawbacks and choosing the one right for a child and his family will depend on various factors.
Community
Local schools are familiar with the nation’s culture, language, and history and this makes them stable and rooted in the community. They are less expensive, easier to build, and thus ideal for parents who want their children to be familiar with the local community and educational institutions.
In contrast, international schools bring in the international Dimenson, experience, and Curriculum that will equip students for college universities and the Global job markets.
As it may be higher in cost and less accessible, getting an international education is a wise investment that provides one with greater opportunities.
Child’s Performance
In the end, it should be for the child’s good as well as to enhance the child’s performance in school.
Regardless of which type of option either a local or an international school is chosen, the prominence remains on offering an education that passes on a love for learning, critical thinking, and skills to enable learners to succeed in an evolving society.
Local and international schools: making the right choice It is easy for parents to get confused between local and international schools.
To make the right decision for your child’s future, parents should consider the following factors to enable them to choose a good school. You can explore similar posts on our education page of the site.
Editors
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