and how we teach this in school

Introduction

A school curriculum is at the core of the educational system. How we design the curriculum reflects our understanding of education and its impact on student life and society. It should consider both past and present knowledge, and most importantly, it must prepare students for the future world, which will be significantly different from the present. The challenge lies in teaching students to carry today's values into the future, enabling them to lead successful adult lives, contribute meaningfully to the world, and make it a better place. Education encompasses more than just knowledge; it shapes the trajectory of the world. Understanding and appreciating your cultural heritage and identity can help you feel more self-assured. This self-awareness is important for interacting effectively with others. However, in today's interconnected world, it's crucial to recognize that our global community is more complex. To succeed in the 21st century, it's not enough to only understand your own culture and speak one language. You will be at a disadvantage.

Many parents recognize how important it is for their children to learn another language. This is why we see more and more young children attending international schools and becoming bilingual. Some even become trilingual or can speak even more languages. However, it's important to understand that learning another language isn't just about speaking it. Communication involves more than just knowing the language; it requires connecting with the people who speak it. Studying English, for example, goes beyond just learning the language; it also involves understanding English-speaking countries' geography, culture, and values. Building genuine connections with people from different cultures allows you to gain insights into their thoughts, exchange ideas and opinions, and greatly enrich your life experience.

Education should offer more than just the ability to speak another language. It should not only lead to better job opportunities but also enable personal and professional growth, allowing individuals to thrive in their careers and contribute as global citizens. This is where the global perspective plays a key role and is an integral part of our school curriculum.

What is a Global Perspective

A global perspective helps students understand and appreciate the diverse cultures, viewpoints, and issues that shape our world. This understanding fosters empathy, adaptability, and critical thinking, which are essential skills in an interconnected global economy. It prepares students to work and thrive in diverse environments, equipping them to address global challenges and opportunities. A global perspective is a key quality that a 21st-century leader must have. It's important for effective leaders to have a deep understanding of different cultures and how people from diverse backgrounds think. In the future, leaders will need to bring together individuals from various backgrounds to work together. Without a global perspective, a leader's vision and understanding are limited. We want leaders who can drive change. Leadership qualities generally develop between the ages of 15 and 18; when individuals' characters are shaped, their well-developed vision of the world is formed, and their understanding of their place in it starts to make sense to them.

This is why a global perspective in the school curriculum is not just beneficial, but essential for preparing students for the future. It's a commitment to their success and to the betterment of our global community.

How we teach Global Perspective

The nature of international schools has many advantages. Students can interact with friends from different nationalities, both inside and outside the classroom. Educational trips abroad and extracurricular activities provide unique opportunities for students to gain experience and insight from diverse perspectives and cultures. Our school is also a member of Round Square Schools and FOBISIA, through which students can participate in events and make friends from around the world. We encourage our students to develop communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity skills at advanced levels. These extra programmes offer fantastic opportunities for them to cultivate these important skills.

Take a look at how we teach:

1. Diverse Curriculum: We incorporate subjects like world history, geography, and international relations, exposing students to various cultures, historical contexts, and global issues.
2. Offering foreign language courses helps students communicate across cultures and understand different linguistic and cultural nuances. At RBIS, our students also learn Thai language and culture as well as Chinese with native speakers. We also organize events to offer students a more personal understanding of these cultures.
3. Trips to Abroad: Allowing students to experience different cultures firsthand, broadening their worldview.
4. Multicultural Events: We host multicultural events, such as international days and celebrations, to encourage students to engage with and appreciate different traditions and customs.
5. Guest Speakers and Workshops: Inviting speakers from diverse backgrounds and organizing workshops on global topics provide students with varied perspectives and insights.
6. Collaborative Projects: Partnering with schools in other countries for joint projects helps students work with peers from different cultural backgrounds, fostering teamwork and mutual understanding.
7. Global Issues Discussions: Regular discussions and debates on current global issues encourage students to think critically about the world and their place in it.

It can be said that beyond knowledge, what distinguishes individuals are their visions, perspectives, and characters, which are formed and shaped during their school years.

A school for the 21st century must incorporate a global perspective into the curriculum. As schools and educators, we are responsible for educating the next generation to lead the world to a better future. We must equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary for this task. The future of the world starts at school.

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Written by Arwenun Klipbua

Executive School Director