Parents in Vietnam are now beginning to realise the positive impact of internationally global minded education on the lives of their children. This article will show new learning trends in the international learning environment that WASS has been building to teach.
The Western Australian School System recognises the importance of parental support in gaining academic success for their children. Many of the learning attributes of modern education mirror the efforts of many Vietnamese parents in helping their children to identify their own strengths and develop areas for personal growth and collaborative working. These are all 21st century skills, which Vietnamese students need to possess in order to gain success in an increasingly globalised world.
Progressive aspects of modern education such as interacting with and understanding issues of global significance such as climate change and environment protection are essential aspects of a rounded international education. To be clear, modern education is not simply about academics, but about how the students generally fit into a modern connected world.
In order for students to learn and prepare for the future modern connected world, teachers at WASS focus on teaching the students to become both independent and collaborative learners. This is achieved by fostering the attributes of the International Baccalaureate Learner profile.
Students at WASS learn by being open-minded to new ideas and different perspectives. They are critical and creative thinkers in order to solve real world and complex problems. They are inquirers and research independently or collaboratively to find solutions rather than be lectured and given the information. As a result, they become knowledgeable as they engage with the concepts and issues.
Part of the learning process at WASS involves students reflecting on their progress so they better understand their own strengths and weaknesses. Students are encouraged to be risk-takers so they can learn by trailing, modelling and making mistakes and errors. Students become effective communicators and learn through effective listening and being confident to express their ideas and thoughts. This is all done by the students learning to be principled and caring in a school environment that looks after the intellectual, physical and emotional well-being of the students allowing students to balance various aspects of their lives.
An international education offers an amazing opportunity for growth for both students and parents to work together in a supporting nurturing and successful way. Parents will need to be patient and understanding of the pressure their child may be under at this time and think of ways to help them. Studying effectively will help propel students into a future global connected world.
Brett Taylor-Holmes
Teacher of WASS
