Language choice, technology and international education

Language of instruction plays a prominent role in educational impact across the globe, yet many developing countries provide instruction in languages that are misaligned between home and school environments. Evidence broadly supports the claim that language of instruction, if appropriate to the child, can have a positive impact on learning outcomes in school. Recent research supports the considerable potential of technology-based student learning, especially when coupled with contextualized language choice provision of educational content. With a focus on low- and middle-income countries, this paper takes stock of language of instruction policies and suggests further ways to promote learning in cultural context through the appropriate use of technology.