“It really helped”: Fostering Ethnorelative Understandings with International Early Childhood Education Student Teachers on Practicum in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract:

‍In this presentation, Yanan Li and Tamar Weisz-Koves share key insights from their work with international student teachers at AUT studying to become early childhood teachers. Drawing from Yanan’s first-hand experience of having been an international student teacher and her current experience as a Visiting Lecturer, and Tamar’s lecturing experience and practicum leadership, Yanan and Tamar aim to foster understandings between international student teachers and those who work with them, in the early childhood education (ECE) practicum space.

They advocate an ethnorelative approach is helpful for understanding that different cultural backgrounds shape diverse ways of thinking, being, and doing. Rather than solely focusing on the challenges faced by international student teachers on practicum as they navigate their developing teacher identities in a new country and deepen their understanding of local curriculum and Tiriti-based practice, an ethnorelative lens highlights the value of recognising multiple perspectives in which all members of the practicum triad (the student, Associate Teacher, and Visiting Lecturer) can learn from each other.

This perspective informs mentorship practices that effectively support international students to navigate and thrive in their new professional contexts and conceptualises practicum as a shared interpersonal and intercultural space for multidirectional learning, thereby enhancing communication, relationships, and the mentoring experience for all participants.