If you are looking for a school for your son/daughter and you would like to give them the best possible chance of success in their life, international education is generally regarded as the best there is. In this short article, we take a closer look at international schools to discover what it is that makes these institutions head and shoulders above the rest.
British or American Curriculum
The majority of international schools use the UK curriculum, while there are a few than run with the US equivalent, which is very similar. The British curriculum is delivered using child-centred methodology and all teachers come from the UK and are fully qualified with a few years of hands-on experience. The best British International School in Bangkok hires teachers on a 3-year contract, which allows teachers and students to bond and develop positive relationships.
Academic Performance
The main reason why Thai parents enrol their children in international schools is the outstanding GPA and exam results. When it comes to university time, top students are first in the queue; this is something the schools are very proud of and you can find the academic results on their website.
Developing Creativity & Imagination
The learner-centred approach develops creativity, imagination and problem-solving skills, which are essential in the adult world. Using this methodology, the teacher becomes a facilitator, guiding the student groups as and when necessary; the students must take responsibility for their learning with this active form of learning. There are no rows of desks, rather the students form groups to plan, produce and present a wide range of projects. Click here for information on MBA programs in Singapore.
Planning & Preparation
Once you start your career, you have to work in a team and problem-solve on the fly, so it makes sense to learn using this system; students have to solve everyday problems and they only approach the teacher when they need some assistance; perhaps the teachers would not ‘tell’ the students what to do, rather they would guide them, give a few hints and let the group consider their options. Every project is chosen by the group and they must decide what the project is about and how it will be presented; a team leader is elected and every team member is delegated a task, which would include gathering information, acquiring materials and planning events.
Traditional British Values
As you would expect, international school students are polite, well-mannered and have a balanced view of the world; it is these values that parents wish to instil into their children. If you would like to book a tour of the top international school in Bangkok, visit their website and discover the many amenities on the campus; you can likely book the tour via the website. Prepare some questions to ask the school principal and spend some time in classes, where you should see groups avidly working on their projects.
K-12 Schools
A K-12 school accepts students from 3-17 years, with 3 years of early learning, a primary section, Years 1-6 and a secondary section, Years 7-12. That is a total of 15 years and the students do not have to change schools throughout their schooling. You probably remember how you felt when you started a new school and your child won’t have to face that ordeal if you enrol them in a K-12 school.
The Importance of IT
We live in a digital world, therefore students need to be competent with IT and computing; they start with basic touchscreen tablets for young learners, while Year 1 sees the start of computer science. In the primary section, students learn to:
- Create and manage an email account
- Search the web for information
- Build a basic website
- Manage files on a computer, copy, paste and move things around.
- Have a basic understanding of MS Office
- Be able to use VoIP platforms such as Zoom and Skype
- Set up and configure digital devices
Secondary Section
Through Years 7-12, students learn about the following:
- Building websites
- Cyber-security
- Develop competence with Ms Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Set up and configure LAN networks
- Understanding blockchain technology
Indeed, by the time they reach Year 9, many of their assignments are sent by the teacher via email and the students have to send it back within a certain time frame. Computing and IT are integrated into the students’ lives to equip them for adult life. If you would like to learn more about international education, Google can help you find international schools and you can create a shortlist. Book tours and then you can make an informed decision on which institution is best for your offspring.
