http://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/family/2601/crosscultural-problems-ininternational-schools Cross-cultural problems in international schools Understanding the issues and ways to overcome them effectively Published: 16/10/2008 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: Mylife Writer: By SUPAWADEE INTHAWONG Thai parents often believe that the education provided by an international school guarantees a bright future for their children due to the opportunity to acquire a command of the English language from native speakers, the well-crafted curriculum, the instructors' close attention to the students, and the low number of students per class that allows better interaction with the teachers. Many parents, however, do not realise that an international school is more than an education institution that uses the English language as the medium of instruction, but is also a social institution that could uniquely influence the personality development of their children, as the environment in an international school is not the same as that in the majority of Thai schools. At present, some parents of international school students speak very little or no English at all as they, unlike their children, live in an environment where English usage is not required. In addition, the communication between family members is usually in Thai, resulting in the parents living in a world that only uses the Thai language, while their children, in contrast, are trapped somewhere between the parents' world and the world of the English language and Western culture at the international schools. In some cases, the parents and the children together help each other to adapt to the two very different worlds. But for the others who do not, the clash of the cultures often leads to many problems. This scenario has become increasingly common as international schools are gaining popularity among wealthier Thai families who may not fully understand the education and cultural systems of international schools. Problems from cultural difference and adjustment The study Ethnic Difference, Self-Esteem, and Family Functioning among International High School Students in Bangkok by Sari Castren found that children of "Western" families are more likely to be happy when attending international schools, while children of "Asian" families are the least likely to be happy. Not surprisingly, international school students from "mixed AsianWestern" families are somewhere in the middle between the two other groups in terms of happiness. The study identified the following four "common problems" experienced by Thai children in international schools: Poor academic performance Absenteeism Aggressive outbursts Family conflicts Many psychologists, psychiatrists and school counsellors have also pointed out several cultural differences between Thai society and the international school environment that could cause obstacles to adjustment. An obvious difference would be that international schools encourage their students to express their feelings, protect their rights and fight for social equity, while Thai families traditionally emphasise seniority, such as being polite to, and deferring to, people who are senior. As a result, many families often end up blaming the schools for teaching their children to be aggressive and rebellious, and punishing their children without trying to understand their circumstances. The young of these families tend to become stressed and are unable to adjust, which, in turn, negatively affect their mental well-being. This issue is most common in teens between 11 and 16 years of age. Some international school students who have just transferred from the Thai education system may find themselves unable to communicate in English or to adjust to a different education environment that requires students to discuss and exchange opinions in the classroom. Children who are used to the traditional Thai emphasis on memorising texts may all of a sudden face the huge responsibility of having to actively participate in class activities. Symptoms of adjustment problems The initial responses of children who are having trouble adjusting to the new school and the different culture are depression and increased aggression. If left alone, they will often produce low academic performance and exhibit absenteeism. Eventually, when coupled with the pressure and/or lack of understanding from their parents, these children may turn to even more dangerous behaviours, like drug abuse. The problems often expand beyond the mental health of the individual children. Sometimes, international school students will develop negative attitudes toward the Thai family culture, especially when they are using English as the primary language while their parents cannot speak English at all. Communication may well break down, and the children may "look down" on their own parents because they are not proud of the traditional "Thainess" of their parents. The gaps within the family could widen as a result. Cross-cultural issues and family counselling Dr Chantima Ongkosit Krairiksh, a psychiatrist and chairwoman of Manarom Hospital, gave a speech to the International School Counsellor Group on "Cross-Cultural Issues in Family Counselling". She said, in her lecture, that Thai students who study abroad tend to face less issues than Thai students who attend international schools in Thailand, as the children in the first group do not interact with their family in their daily lives, while international school children have to adjust each day that they return home from school. Dr Chantima believes several bodies of knowledge in psychology are based on Western cultures and cannot be applied to Thai society unless the psychologists involved possess some understanding of the unique aspects of Thai culture. "Many common counselling practices cannot be applied in Thailand. For instance, the joint discussion session between both parents, the child and the counsellor may be less effective than having separate sessions, as the child is less likely to express himself or herself in front of the parents," says Dr Chantima. "Even the father and mother themselves may not be able to be completely honest with each other when the counsellor is present. In addition, the counsellor may end up criticising the parents in front of the child, which is something that should not be done in Thai society." The psychiatrist suggests that counsellors must be exercise due caution, so as to avoid causing Thai parents to "lose face", and they must be aware of the Thai values that honour and revere all those who "teachers". As school counsellors are also considered to be teachers, their words and action will have a huge psychological impact on both the parents and the children. The relationship between the counsellor, the parents and the children is an extremely delicate one, and complete sincerity is required in order to instil confidence in the family and encourage them to participate in the problem-solving. Robert Conley, a psychologist and director of pupil services at Ruamrudee International School, says the majority of international schools have some form of counselling systems. These schools have established the International School Counsellor Group to be a platform for discussions on student-and-parent-counselling issues. He says that he often reminds school counsellors to be sensitive to Thai culture and to be aware of respectful gestures and manners. He adds that some foreign teachers who have recently moved to Thailand may lack an understanding of Thai culture. "Nobody is to be blamed for the problem. The school counsellors, by working closely with the parents and the children, could help to quickly prevent and solve any problems that might arise," said Conley. "I would recommend that parents come to see the counsellor immediately without hesitation. If they have trouble communicating in English, the school can arrange for an interpreter." Besides counsellors, several schools hire psychologists to help children. These professionals are usually able to solve most of the problems, but they may refer the more serious cases to a psychiatrist. Suggestions for parents Conley says parents should send their children to an international school as early as possible. A child who begins an international education when young will likely have an easier time adjusting than a high school transfer student. Before selecting a school, parents should personally visit the school and examine the curricula and teaching methods of that school, as there is a great diversity of international schools in Thailand, and they follow different education systems. In addition, they should also talk to both the Thai and foreign teachers, which would enable them to understand the school better and to ascertain how it could provide a desirable education for their child. Dr Jom Chomchay, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, says parents should first determine what they truly want from an education in an international school. They should not consider the school as the sole child-rearing institution, as the family is responsible for at least half at that task. Above all, they will have to accept that their children will need to adjust to the new education system. "A common problem is that many parents expect no difficulties as they are paying the international schools higher than they would pay conventional schools. This mentality does not lead to a proper solution of the problems. In reality, when sending children to a school that has a culture radically different from that of the family, parents should pay extra-special attention to their children and help them to adjust to both the Thai and Western norms and practices," Dr Jom says.
