Teaching diversity
For Leah Davies valuing diversity should be at the heart of any school. Here she explores how administrators and staff can get things under way and why it is so important.
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Well Being
To lead – or not to lead?
As an Outdoor Education instructor, David Gregory has learned to strike a balance between taking the lead in the field, and allowing others to do the leading. Everything depends on the needs of the students
Buddy Programs for Elementary Schools
Leah Davies examines the stimulating opportunities for learning and skill development that a well-thought out buddy program gives everyone as students from upper elementary grades interact with children who are at least two years younger.
Having spent six years teaching at a leading international school in South-East Asia, Matt Tighe was delighted to be appointed International Link Coordinator at Farlingaye High School in the UK. A central focus of his work now is developing an international mind-set that is both meaningful and practical for a school in semi-rural Suffolk.
Green Light Means Go!
Ask almost any young learner what a “green light” means and they will say, “GO!” Drivers will say a green light signals them to move forward, but implies so much more. Katherine Knox examines “Green Light” actions that keep a school moving forward consistently and effectively.
Meeting a need in Ho Chi Minh City
Expatriate life can be challenging with a young family. Having worked in Ho Chi Minh City for two years as an International teacher, then spending the following three years as a full-time mum and occasional supply (substitute) teacher, Jessica Gosling knew the learning needs of her own young family were not being met locally. In the tradition of other international teaching pioneers, she took the initiative and decided to do something about it herself.
Formula for success
According to Leah Davies, good communication depends as much as on actively receiving messages (listening; reading) as on giving messages (talking; writing). Good teachers and schools get both parts of the formula right – and work hard to keep improving.
The importance of home languages
Much has recently been written highlighting the importance of a child’s mother tongue (or “home language”). Susan Stewart, of the International School of London (Surrey), describes the advantages of putting home languages at the centre of a school’s curriculum.
Occasional pain, abundant gain
Badrika Bahadur, a student at the Alice Smith School in Kuala Lumpur, looks at the demands and rewards of taking on the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
How to avoid under-performance in IELTs
An increasing number of students in international schools, including those following IB Diploma courses are sitting the IELTS and similar examinations of language competence, but many under-perform. Chris Jay provides some useful guidance on how to avoid pitfalls and achieve success.
White water challenge
If we advocate challenging students, we must be ready to challenge ourselves. Outdoor educator David Gregory leaves his zone to see what it’s like.
The experience of EAL acquisition at a UK boarding school
The growing number of students learning in English is a global phenomenon. At this UK boarding school, the EAL provision is led by the school’s International Student Counsellor, Debbie Taylor, who looks at how Giggleswick School has developed a successful programme of support.
The great motivation debate
Children can be intrinsically or extrinsically motivated. Leah Davies discusses how we acknowledge and affirm student achievement.
Supporting students with disabilities in higher education
Planning for post-secondary education for students with various disabilities raises complex questions about how to best prepare for next steps, but so much is possible. Stephanie Martin dispels three common myths.
The digital threat to cultural diversity
The digital revolution has brought many benefits, but librarian Uma Shankar Singh argues it can also pose a significant threat to cultural diversity in an international school.
Almost everything . . . . whether we mean it or not
Our words can have a profound effect upon a child’s attitude and behavior, says Leah Davies.
The prison of a stutter
Many people face a lifelong struggle with stuttering. Adam Black relates how a unique approach was life-changing for him, enabling him to break free and be himself.
Starting school activities for the early years
If you are a KG or Early Years teacher with new children starting school this term/semester, why not download this free PDF and send it to your new parents? If you are a parent, with a little one about to start school, here are 10 things to think about that will help make the transition easier.
Birth of the Naiyobi Women’s Project
Founding a grassroots support group for Maasai women in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) of Tanzania was to change Kim Laizer‘s life. This is Part 2 of her story.
Putting students in the driving seat
Giving students the opportunity to think for themselves in an unforgiving environment leads to the best kind of learning as David Gregory explains. What’s good for Outdoor Ed is also good for the classroom.
Learning for a life worth leading
An increasing number of schools around the world – both national and international – are discovering the benefits of running Philosophy for Children (P4C) courses.
A new study commissioned by the Nuffield Foundation and conducted by the Durham University School of Education now suggests such benefits might be non-cognitive as well as cognitive. ITM’s Andy Homden reports.
Managing the media
Children learn not only through real life experience, but vicariously through media exposure which defines our culture and shapes our norms. Exposure to television programming and video streaming profoundly affects how children view their world. Leah Davies advises us to take control.
Leah Davies discusses ways of working with children who have “perfectionist” tendencies.
10 things for expat Dads to do to stay connected with their kids
Jane Barron pens a letter of thanks and encouragement for the important role Expatriate Dads play in their family and suggests 10 ideas for busy dads to stay connected with their kids.
Take the risk and give responsibility
David Gregory describes how a school trip can become a deeper learning experience by giving students the responsibility for making difficult decisions.
A new school for human trafficking survivors in Cambodia
Recognising the importance of education, Hope for Justice established a Cambodian school for sex-trafficking survivors. Andrea Bailey, Nourn Vanna and Ngin Sam Onn report
A child protection issue
Peter Milne looks at how the environment is an integral aspect of the struggle to promote human and particularly children’s rights.
The Naiyobi Women’s Project
Born and raised in northern California, environmental educator Kim Laizer has recently been working on a new project with Massai women in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This article is the first of two highlighting her story and collaborative efforts to provide education, training, and development opportunities for Maasai women in Naiyobi, Tanzania.
Getting started with the right instrument
The benefits of playing an instrument go further than the enjoyment of music. Here Sally Phillips provides some useful guidance for helping parents and teachers choose the right guitar for their children: “a very good place to start.”
David Gregory outlines the challenges as some boys will find any excuse to try something dangerous.
Java sea adventure!
Catherin Lorenzen was medical officer at the British School, Jakarta in the 1980s and 90s. In the second of three articles, she describes how her life opened up with a series of adventures in the Java Sea on board her family’s yacht, Rolling Home, which also became a teaching resource at school . . . .
Learning, data and the Mona Lisa
Inspired by the most famous eyes in the world of art, Matthew Savage explores how data, when used effectively, can have a transformative effect on every child.
The issue of children in our classes who are overweight may concern many of us, but taking the initiative can lead to even more problems. Leah Davies believes that rising rates of childhood obesity are a problem, which educators have a responsibility to address. Here she offers some practical advice.
Grace Kelly’s belief that experiences outside the classroom are a vital component of ‘the hidden curriculum,’ prompted the idea for an innovative school exchange – a dream which then become a reality.
No cycle track at camp? Design your own!
Outdoor Educator David Gregory describes a very different building project and the benefits it brings for those students participating.
Differentiation and assessment for learning, a personal view
Last year Paul Jackson was approached by a neighbour whose Grade 7 (UK year 8) daughter, was struggling in Maths and wanted him to tutor her. This is not something he usually does, but as a neighbour, he reluctantly agreed. Some serious thinking followed.
Tales of the sea, PART 1
What’s a young family to do? Travel of course! In the first of three articles, the intrepid Catherine Lorenzen tells how she got caught up in the whole business of international education as a nurse, married to a marine engineer, with three children in tow. Part 1 of her adventures takes us from revolutionary Iran to Yemen and on to Jakarta, where the family learn to sail.
Using Outdoor Ed techniques in the classroom
David Gregory is a specialist Outdoor Education instructor who has also worked in schools and as a teacher and form tutor. Here he suggests a powerful technique used on outdoor courses and trips could be applied in class to really good effect.
Three steps to wellbeing in school
Trinity All-Through School in London has been planning and implementing a three-step strategy to address the needs of student wellbeing. As Rob Thomas, the school’s Executive Head Teacher, argues, this work is a timely response to the mental health needs of young people.
Cornish to Kiwi
Roz O’Shea had already taken the plunge to “go international” when she left the UK to teach in SE Asia. Moving on she found what she considers to be her true calling – teaching Health Education based on a completely different set of cultural ideas in New Zealand.
The key to collaborative planning and decision making
Listening, rather than talking, is the key to making an effective plan of action for a company or school, according to Peter Hudson. The trouble is, most people are not very good at it. Here Peter looks at five key ideas that will help the members of a team improve as listeners, and therefore as effective collaborative planners.
Flourishing schools and wellbeing
According to Moya O’Brien, a school really flourishes when it practises “positive psychology”. Here she explains the connection and examines an organic approach to the development of wellbeing in schools. Academic success follows.
For further ideas about “positive psychology” see the downloadable PDF at the end of the article.
Facing up to reality
“You are burnt out”. Hearing these words from her doctor was terrifying. Kirstin Botter relates the perils of justifying the ludicrous and ignoring the warning signs.
It’s been listed as one of the words of the year by the Collins and Oxford Dictionaries. But why should we care about the meaning of “Hygge”? Jan Homden shares her thoughts.
The stress of social media
Just what stresses might Social Media cause Headteachers in the “post-truth” era? The evidence of a new survey from the UK suggests that there is a significant problem to be addressed. Rebecca Oram reports.
Five reasons why listening is important for school leaders
Listening is invaluable in schools in all sorts of ways and at many levels of responsibility – teachers, school leaders, students themselves and parents. Here Peter Hudson explains why listening is vital for school leaders.
Most of us recognise the benefits of being involved in international education and the opportunities it offers. Moving from country to country and one role to a very different one, can present challenges, but these can be overcome, as Ginette Collin explains.
The bad news and the good news
Jane Barron investigates the impact of international mobility on learning and what can be done to support students through the challenges of transition from country to country
New standards and support for international schools
Child abuse is a difficult issue for any educator to confront and International School leaders face particular difficulties. Jane Larsson, Executive Director of the Council of International Schools (CIS) recently spoke to ITM about a new source of support for schools as they develop more robust safeguarding policies.
Emotions matter
Research has shown that, far from separating two separate systems of rational thinking and emotion, the human brain uses both together. Emotions give us information and emotions drive the decisions we make. If we don’t pay attention to both cognitive and emotional sources of information, we are compromising our decision-making ability, writes Sarah Whyte.