Peer-mentoring within the middle and high school music department of the International School of Kuala Lumpur: a case study

• Main Author: Taylor, Jeffrey Eugene
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: Music education; International schools; Peer mentoring
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/2144/16833

The purpose of this study was to observe and document peer-mentoring and its function in music classes in The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL). Specifically, this study examined the influence of peer-mentoring on the socialization of secondary international school children while documenting and analyzing the perception of the students, faculty, and administration of ISKL towards peer-mentoring. Qualitative methodology in the format of a case study that included interviews and observations was selected to examine the experiences and views of both students and faculty at ISKL in relation to peer mentoring in the music department. The researcher served as a participant researcher as he was employed by ISKL as an instrumental music instructor during the time of data collection. Results yielded by the study revealed a number of themes. Peer-mentoring occurred on the campus of ISKL both formally through the structures set in place by the instructors, and informally as students assisted classmates on their own initiative. There was limited administrative awareness of the mentoring taking place. Scheduling appeared to be a significant obstacle to the development of the program. The common instructional language of English and the eclectic nature of the school culture caused the linguistic and cultural variances to be less of a factor. One theme that emerged as the data was triangulated was the role that the transient nature of the school played in the peer-mentoring process, as there was significant turnover from year to year of both students and faculty at the school. Bonds formed between mentors and mentees relatively easily and quickly. Conversely, the short tenure of the music instructors involved hampered the development of the program, as they were no longer present to continue supporting the program.