At NESSIC's inaugural leadership conference, I captured something special - the birth of China's newest school network.

Shane and Aimee explore well-being in schools. Aimee shares her passion for well-being and how it started during her early years in school leadership. They discuss the importance of both feeling good and functioning well in order to achieve well-being.

Ann McPhee discusses leadership in an international context and the importance of cultural understanding and effective induction processes. She highlights the pitfalls of autocratic leadership and the myth of strong leadership, emphasising the importance of empathy, listening, and reflection. McPhee also emphasizes the power of soft leadership and the impact of small interactions and relationships in leadership. Overall, the conversation reveals the core of leadership as working with people and prioritizing their needs.

Andrea Honigsfeld shares her insights on the power of collaboration in education, emphasising the value of teamwork and diverse perspectives in supporting multilingual learners and promoting cultural inclusivity. We discuss the importance of challenging biases, engaging in difficult conversations, and prioritising students' assets. Andrea highlights the significance of collaboration not just among teachers, but also with paraprofessionals, coaches, administrators, and families, stressing the two-way dynamic interaction for meaningful engagement.

Dr. José Medina discusses linguistic oppression in education and the need for linguistic liberation. He explains that linguistic oppression occurs when students are not allowed to fully leverage their entire linguistic repertoire, and are instead forced to focus solely on the language of power, which is often English. José emphasises the importance of metalinguistic awareness, which is the ability to make connections between languages in one's repertoire. He also introduces the concept of trans-languaging, which empowers students to use all of their language skills to access content learning. José calls for educators to create linguistically inclusive spaces and to model content language learning targets that incorporate the four plus one language domains.

Simon Probert and I explore the evolution of British international schools in Asia, with a focus on the growth of British international education in Asia. The appeal of British international schools and the interaction between these schools and local education systems are discussed, as well as the importance of local identity are explored. The conversation also delves into the challenges of localising international schools and the post-colonial lens in British international schools.

As an international school leader, do you sometimes find yourself caught between the demands of educational excellence and balancing the books? Today's episode will empower you with strategies to bridge the gap between personal values and organisational expectations.

I dive into the theory of comprehensible input, drawing from Stephen Krashen's research. This key concept focuses on providing language learners with input just beyond their current level, emphasising the importance of meaning over form and the natural order of language acquisition. I discuss practical strategies for making teacher talk more comprehensible, including an innovative method using AI transcription software to evaluate and adjust language grading for EAL students. Plus, I offer a special discount for listeners to join the full EAL course, where you can access over 30 comprehensive lessons and an exclusive online community.

In revisiting my 2017 TEDx talk on the importance of home languages in global education, I delve into why nurturing native languages remains crucial. Sharing personal stories and insights, I highlight the cognitive and emotional benefits of bilingualism, particularly in a global context. Through examples like a Korean student's experience in China and policy shifts in Hong Kong, I advocate for a balanced language learning approach that integrates cultural and linguistic heritage.