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Internationalization in Vocational Education and Training pp 77–94Cite as

Teacher Professional Development Under the Impact of Internationalization in VET

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Abstract

This chapter addresses the professional learning needs of teachers in the vocational education and training (VET) sector under the changed circumstances of internationalization and international student mobility. International education is Australia’s largest service export, contributing over $16 billion to the national economy annually. Australian VET teachers are facing significant professional challenges to engage with pedagogical issues in teaching international students. However, there has been a lack of research on how teachers are equipped to effectively cater for international students and respond to the demands of internationalization in VET through professional development. Drawing on empirical research and positioning theory, this chapter analyzes the impact of the presence of international students on VET teachers’ professional learning needs and practices. The findings suggest the need to systemically and explicitly support substantive professional learning with regard to approaches to engaging and teaching international students. The findings in particular show teachers’ aspiration for deep and responsive capacity building and professional learning concerning three primary areas including understandings of international students’ backgrounds and motives for undertaking Australian VET, currency with research on international students, and capacity to develop pedagogies responsive to this cohort. Professional learning centered on these areas is essential to foster conditions for the generation of a more truly student-centered and international student-responsive practices among teachers.

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Acknowledgment

We are thankful to the staff participants who shared with us their insights and to Kate Dempsey who helped with the data collection for this project. We acknowledge the funding from the Australian Research Council for this research through the DECRA scheme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia

    Ly Thi Tran & Truc Thi Thanh Le

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  1. Ly Thi Tran
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  2. Truc Thi Thanh Le
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Correspondence to Ly Thi Tran .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia

    Ly Thi Tran

  2. Independent Education Consultant, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Kate Dempsey

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Tran, L.T., Le, T.T.T. (2017). Teacher Professional Development Under the Impact of Internationalization in VET. In: Tran, L., Dempsey, K. (eds) Internationalization in Vocational Education and Training. Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 25. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47859-3_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47859-3_5

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