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Navigating Support and Isolation: ESL Teachers’ Perceptions of Leadership in a Malaysian International School

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  • Nurul Aisyah Kamrozzaman

    (Faculty of Education and Humanities, UNITAR International University, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia)

  • Thusha Ammasiemuthusamy

    (Faculty of Education and Humanities, UNITAR International University, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia)

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates the perceptions of English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers regarding leadership support at an international school in Malaysia. It explores how these perceptions influence their motivation, instructional practices, and professional engagement. Employing a phenomenological design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five ESL teachers. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal a significant disconnect between leadership intention and practice. Support was often reactive, inconsistent, and generalized rather than tailored to ESL educators' specific needs. Key challenges included a lack of ESL-specific professional development, exclusion from decision-making, and professional isolation, leading to diminished motivation and innovation. The study concludes that school leadership must move beyond generalized support models to implement culturally responsive, distributed, and transformational leadership practices that are deliberately inclusive of ESL teachers' expertise. The paper offers actionable strategies for school leaders and contributes to the literature on inclusive educational leadership in multilingual settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Nurul Aisyah Kamrozzaman & Thusha Ammasiemuthusamy, 2025. "Navigating Support and Isolation: ESL Teachers’ Perceptions of Leadership in a Malaysian International School," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(9), pages 7166-7177, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-9:p:7166-7177
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Haisa Osman & Nurul Aisyah Kamrozzaman, 2024. "Instructional leadership practices among principals in rural areas of Sandakan district, Malaysia," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 14(7), pages 185-197.
    2. Seyyed Ostovar-Nameghi & Mohsen Sheikhahmadi, 2016. "From Teacher Isolation to Teacher Collaboration: Theoretical Perspectives and Empirical Findings," English Language Teaching, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 9(5), pages 197-197, May.
    3. Marjorie N. Gomez & Nagnon Diarrassouba, 2014. "What Do Teachers Need to Support English Learners?," English Language Teaching, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 7(5), pages 1-89, May.
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