If you live in South East Asia and you want your child to have a comprehensive schooling, look no further than international education, a system that is designed to develop the essential life skills needed for success in the modern world.
Why are international schools widely regarded as the best in the world?
The very core of every school is their curriculum, and international schools use either the US or the UK curriculum, as they are widely recognised as being the best there is. The main reasons for having international schools is so that the children of diplomats, managers and armed forces personnel can obtain a structured education while their parents are serving in foreign countries, which is possible due to all schools using the same curriculum.
Native English Professional Teachers
International schools recruit their teachers from the United Kingdom, which attracts the best people who wish to live the expat life for a few years, so your child would be in the best possible hands from the age of 5 until they prepare to enter university. If you choose a school that has K-12 capabilities, your child will not have to change schools at any time, which can be a traumatic event that negatively impacts their education.
Online Solutions
Any parent who would like to learn more about a British international school in Bangkok, for example, a simple Google search will bring up a list of reputable international programs in and around the city. You can then browse each website, looking for a school that offers the British curriculum that is delivered by professional qualified UK teachers.
Fluency in English
In order that your child has the essential English language skills, they need to be learning in an English-speaking environment from day 1. Even if the parents do not speak English at home, the child will be exposed to English around 8 hours per day, and from an early age, an intermediate level of language skills is rapidly acquired. Learning in a Thai school would not give your child the English language exposure, mainly because they would only learn English one hour per day, whereas, with an international program, the language of instruction is always English.
Critical Thinking
It is a general observation that Asian education is mainly a rote learning system (learning through memorisation) and it is a cultural thing not to question the teacher, which is often seen as a sign of disrespect. The goal of a western style education system is to cultivate an enquiring mind, which develops essential critical thinking skills, and by using project-based learning, all students play an active role in the learning process.
Finding your Passion in Life
If a child is engaged in a dynamic curriculum, there are many opportunities to pursue new interests, and this can very often be the springboard into a lifelong love of something that might lead to a very successful career.
Give your son or daughter a head-start by enrolling them into an international school program and you certainly won’t regret it.