While we all understand the need for the right early learning program as an introduction to formal schooling, we must never forget the role of the first 6 years of formal education, commonly known as the primary years. This is the time for the students to gain a basic understanding of all the core subjects and without a solid understanding of the principles of math, the sciences or indeed language, the learner will struggle in the secondary years, as the subjects become more advanced.
International Education
Widely accepted as offering the best all-round education, with the emphasis on academic excellence and choosing a primary international school within driving distance is an ideal choice. Most international schools use the US National Curriculum, which sets a high global standard that every country strives to attain.
Language Acquisition
Take a young Thai student, for example, who lives in Bangkok and rarely uses English; the ideal placement would be entering a local international school at 6-7 years of age and as all subjects are taught in English, the child will develop a level of fluency. The language used for general communication is English, so the Thai student has amply free practice using English.
Core Maths & Sciences
These subjects can be really challenging when you enter the secondary years and without a sound primary education, the student would find it challenging to keep up with the class. They would probably require extra tuition in order to pass the end-of-term exams, which goes to underline the importance of a good primary academic education.
Active Learning Strategies
Gone are the days of traditional up-front teacher instruction, which has given way to a more active approach, with project-based learning a major tool used by goof primary schools. This changes the role of the teacher from instructor to facilitator; a person who helps the groups as they self-learn their chosen topics in a project format. The earliest time to introduce the learner to active learning is at pre-school and through primary, which equips the students to achieve high academic scores in exams.
The Foundation of Academic Excellence
The typical national curriculum covers 12 years of formal education, which is divided into two sections; primary and secondary. Of course, the last 6 years are when the academic development really shines through, yet this can only occur with a solid primary academic education.
If you are currently looking for a school for your child’s primary years, make sure you choose one with an excellent academic record, as this is a sign of success.
