Resources for ELLs in International Schools: A Non-profit and Forprofit Comparison

Year 2021, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 38 - 50, 01.01.2021

Clayton W. Lehman

Abstract

The number of for-profit international schools is rising as the international school market continues
to grow. While traditionally being non-profit and serving expatriates, international school
enrollment now predominately consists of locally enrolled students, many of whom are English
language learners (ELLs). As the industry becomes more and more profit-driven, there is mounting
concern about how much money is being reinvested back into the schools. The purpose of this study
was to explore differences in the provision of resources for working with ELLs between international
schools in East Asia that are non-profit and for-profit. Areas explored include teacher preparation,
digital media, instructional resources, library materials, and designated teaching space for working
with ELLs. This quantitative survey-based study had 533 participants who were working in
international schools in East Asia. The findings of this study revealed that instruction of ELLs in nonprofit international schools tends to be less likely to be hindered due to a shortage or lack of
resources for working with ELLs compared to for-profit international schools.

Keywords

International schools, ELLs, for-profit schools, non-profit schools

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