Effective education solutions for inclusive learning in international schools

Explore three common challenges faced by international schools and see some potential solutions.  

Challenge #1: Language skills differ and could lead to attainment gaps

Bilingual international schools experienced a 7.9% compound annual growth rate between 2011 and 2021, and the number has continued to grow. Multi-lingual learning is often highly sought-after and has many benefits for students — a study into bilingual education for young children found lots of evidence for net benefits in many domains. But in a classroom of pupils with different language skills, teachers will need to find common ground as well as offer differentiated learning experiences to avoid attainment gaps.

Students may learn through immersion, dual-language models and gradual transition to make multilingualism more attainable, but teachers will need to carefully observe students’ progress and use techniques such as scaffolding to support pupils individually. For example, students who find tasks easier may be given additional activities to complete, while students who are finding them more difficult may be given working examples or worksheets, with a view to removing these “scaffolds” once they have developed their skills.

Interactive teaching resources that pupils can access in and outside of lessons will often help teachers provide appropriate differentiation, with individuals working at their own pace. These resources may also be able to deliver digital content in different languages, with options to support students who speak English as a second language. 

Challenge #2: Transient student populations can make consistency and cohesion difficult to achieve in the classroom

International schools often attract families who have moved abroad for work, and who may continue to travel and relocate on a regular basis. This can increase the rate of pupil turnover, meaning students in any given school year can have very different starting points and levels of familiarity with the curriculum. In practice, this often puts pressure on teachers to provide consistent, engaging and inclusive lessons that are suitable for all students, especially if multiple qualifications and curriculums are on offer (e.g. GCSEs, A levels, International Baccalaureate, International Primary Curriculum).

Teachers and school leadership must think creatively to find inclusive solutions that can help them meet pupils where they’re at and further their learning. For British International School Al Khobar, a prestigious international school in Saudi Arabia, learning software became a valuable solution to enhance achievement and support underperforming students with personalised learning plans. The school saw a notable rise in the number of students achieving high grades, and could begin to use data to offer targeted interventions. 

Challenge #3: Pastoral care must account for students’ needs as well as involving parents

Pastoral care for international students must aim to make them feel settled and included in their school community, particularly if they are living away from home or if their family moves location frequently. Schools may need to consider practical support, such as assisting pupils and families with visa applications. They must also carefully consider mental health and wellbeing programmes as students navigate new life experiences.

It's particularly important to involve parents as part of pastoral care, which can be challenging to do remotely — many international schools offer boarding, putting physical distance between parents, pupils and teachers. A strong parent engagement strategy will help schools communicate with parents and involve them holistically in their children’s education, which has been proven to have a positive impact on progress. 

Digital tools can support inclusion and equity in education, and research shows they can also promote wellbeing while helping diverse student groups reach their academic potential. With educational technologies, learning environments can become more inclusive and accessible, adapting to the varying needs of students. 
Digital tools can also provide learning and continuing professional development opportunities for teachers, helping them increase their digital knowledge and pedagogical technique to better support students.

Here are four core areas where technology can support international schools:

1. HR. Teachers who are confident and possess the requisite skills can employ practices such as blended learning in diverse classrooms, helping to improve differentiation and foster higher levels of interaction. Rapidly increasing digitisation and diverse classrooms mean teachers need increasing training and support, but they don’t always feel they receive it, especially in digital disciplines. HR software can centralise staff data and improve retention and engagement through tailored insights, training provision and appraisal management, making a tangible difference to the quality of teaching.
2. Differentiated learning and attainment. Digital learning tools offer the opportunity to deliver targeted, differentiated, self-paced programmes to students, helping to give them autonomy. Tools should be chosen based on their ability to help students engage with learning materials, as well as their relevance to the curriculum.
3. Parental engagement. Involving parents is key to children’s engagement and success, and a parent communication strategy that uses digital outreach channels will help schools reach them. Apps, portals, shared timetables, digital appointment booking and more make it simpler for schools to foster parental engagement, from anywhere in the world.
4. Financial management and administration. When headteachers and senior leaders can entrust these functions to the relevant teams, they can focus more on strategy and education. International schools need reliable finance, payroll and administration systems to manage and automate processes with efficiency and accuracy. 

At Filbrit International Academy UK, using digital tools for lesson planning and assignment creation has helped to ensure lessons are structured and engaging while giving teachers more flexibility. The school has noted tangible improvements in student confidence as well as a direct impact on performance.

Light International School in Nairobi has integrated technology into its teaching and learning strategy, enhancing student engagement and understanding across a range of subjects. With comprehensive video content, the school makes learning both enjoyable and accessible. “It sharpens learners’ analytical skills and makes learning fun,” said Ramadhan Kopilo, Business Studies and Geography Teacher at the school.

For OneSchool Global, Access GCSEPod has been instrumental in helping students access the tools they need to thrive. Short videos and assessments give students the perfect opportunity to personalise their learning experiences, and progress can be tracked and reviewed over time. The school can also track “big picture” metrics, using log-in data to see the dates and times when students were most motivated.

Explore solutions to support international and multi-lingual schools

Explore education solutions for international schools and discover how they can enhance inclusion, personalised lesson delivery, staff development and educational outcomes. Download our brochures and explore further information about:

• Engaging online teaching software
• Successful HR and staff development
• Smart financial management
• Effective parent engagement strategies