Understanding dilemmas faced by VET teachers and their implications for international students, teachers and VET institutions

Abstract

This paper focuses on the voices and experiences of teachers, who are key stakeholders in the sustainability and future growth of vocational education and training (VET). It presents implications arising from qualitative research on the dilemmas that VET teachers face in teaching international students. In-depth interviewing with 15 VET teachers from several Australian public and private VET institutions identified that teachers experience various inter-related professional, educational and personal dilemmas. These dilemmas result from ethical tensions that teachers experience in their interactions with international students, teaching colleagues and their employing institutions, and highlight significant implications for teachers, students, VET institutions and the government at a time of rapid economic, political, cultural and educational change. They contribute evidence for ongoing review and development of student enrolment and teacher employment in 20 the culturally-diverse VET sector, and thus, further goals of educational equity and quality learning experiences and outcomes.