International schools are extremely popular in Hong Kong. Both students and their parents are drawn to these institutions because of so much more than their interesting curricula. At ME, we support the adaptations to education that support a globalised society and encourage students to embrace a multicultural environment. We believe this teaches them so much more than what is inside their textbooks including tolerance and expanding knowledge about other cultures. There are many advantages for students attending an International School and, in this article, we will discuss a few of them.
Multicultural Environment In some of our previous blogs, we have discussed the major advantages of the international environment these schools offer. In order to be a citizen of the world, students need to be exposed to other cultures. This exposure helps them to develop empathy, understanding and cooperation with people who look, sound and act differently to themselves. The opportunity to learn tolerance, mutual respect, empathy, and understanding of others is absolutely crucial for modern living. Thanks to technology and travel innovation, the world is getting smaller and smaller. Students will encounter many different types of people in the career paths they choose. They will have a major advantage if they already understand how to interact and respect those that are different from them. International Curricula According to Wikipedia, an International School is '… is a school that promotes international education, in an international environment, either by adopting a curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate, Edexcel, Cambridge Assessment International Education or the International Primary Curriculum, or by following a national curriculum different from that of the school's country of residence.' Many international schools in Hong Kong, combine elements of more than one system, e.g., a curriculum based on the British core curriculum but also enriched with elements of American or Australian systems. These blended curricula offer the best of both worlds and equip students with the skills they will need to perform in a global market. Language In most international schools in Hong Kong, the primary language that lessons are offered in is English. Since English is the most widely used language in the world and is spoken by over three-quarters of the world’s population, it is incredibly important that students master it. In addition to English, international schools often offer a wide range of additional language classes like French, German, and Spanish. The ability to speak multiple languages is a huge advantage when students enter the job market. Within Hong Kong, both public and private schools with international classes are also obliged to teach Mandarin. This gives students the opportunity to expand their communication skills, appreciate the culture deeper, and adapt to Chinese society. It also guarantees that children from China or Hong Kong attending international schools, will not be behind in learning their native language. More Extracurricular Activities Many International schools are proud to offer a wide variety of extracurricular activities. Some of these include sports, art, music, dance, and even photography. Students are afforded the opportunity to discover their interests while being provided with the knowledge to develop the skills. In Conclusion There are many more advantages to studying in international schools. Students are afforded high-level education, global standards, and a rich cultural environment. This gives them a head start in life and a significant advantage in the global labour market. The best thing about international schools is the focus on the overall development of a student, not just their academic skills. To learn more about what top international schools we partner with, please give us a call on +852 2383 0300 or WhatsApp +852 92983538.
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"Since joining ME, Nathan has shown significant growth not only academically but in other areas as well. With one-on-one private lessons, his teacher Mr. Thomas was able to give Nathan enough attention and advice during class. Nathan enjoys having lessons with Mr. Thomas because of the atmosphere in ME. The admissions consultants at ME helped us with school applications and after some hard work, Nathan received an offer from ESF Discovery Bay. We could not be happier with the support ME has offered us from the excellent teachers to the consultants."
