With the acceleration of economic globalization and cultural diversity, there is a growing need for talents with intercultural competence and international perspectives. The education provided by international schools is even more important, not only to promote educational exchanges between different countries and cultures, but also to provide a platform for the younger generation to understand and participate in the world. International Schooling carries a mission to provide students with a world-class educational experience that aims to develop future leaders with global awareness, critical thinking, and innovation.
On March 20th, Joanne Chong, General Manager of Francis Parker, and YUN HYEKYEONG, Vice Dean of Francis Parker, a Korean international school, visited Shanghai Wanyuan City Union Bilingual School. He was fully received by the principal of Wanyuan City Concord Bilingual School, accompanied by Park WooYoon of ClassIn Overseas Business Department and Fang Shixu of Basic Education Division.
Photo: Chinese and Korean international schools exchange together
At the recent symposium on foreign exchange and cooperation in high-level education held by the Ministry of Education, Huai Jinpeng, Minister of Education, pointed out that high-level education foreign exchange and cooperation is the direction that must be adhered to and constantly explored to build a strong country in education. It is against this background that this cross-border exchange is not only a friendly exchange between the two universities, but also a vivid embodiment of international educational cooperation and exchanges.
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The development status of two international schools in China and South Korea
On behalf of the school, Principal Quanquan first expressed his welcome to the Korean education delegation and introduced the Shanghai Wanyuan City Union Bilingual School. The school is invested and founded by Concord Education Center (Group), offering courses for grades 1-12, adhering to the concept of integrating Chinese and Western cultures. The school has won the title of "National Excellent Private School" and has passed the certification of the World Alliance for the Promotion of Educational Quality (AdvancED), and is committed to providing a bilingual and dual-channel school that integrates the essence of Chinese and Western education, provides students with a variety of choices of curriculum and development channels. So far, the school has 2,500 students.
Photo: Principal Quanquan introduced the development of the school
Francis Parker is a well-known international school in South Korea, with a long-term commitment to improving children's developmental English proficiency in education. The school is for students in Kindergarten and plans to expand to Primary School in the future. The school's mission is to create a diverse community of independent thinkers, and the school believes that students' academic achievement, global perspective, and strength of character enable them to make a meaningful difference in the world.
02
Highly qualified teachers are an important resource for international schools
Subsequently, the two schools had in-depth exchanges and discussed the challenges and key issues in the development of the school. In particular, the two sides had a full exchange of views on the optimal allocation of teacher resources. As the backbone of school development, the quality of teacher resources is directly related to the level of teaching and the cultivation of students' personality and ability. In the international education environment, highly qualified foreign teachers are not only a medium for imparting knowledge, but also an active messenger of cross-cultural communication, and their introduction is essential to create a multicultural learning atmosphere.
At the meeting, Principal Quanquan expressed his opinion: "Recruiting qualified foreign teachers is undoubtedly a complex and time-consuming task, and it often takes nearly a year to prepare. He elaborated on a rigorous process from posting job postings, screening candidates' resumes, to conducting first, second, and third rounds of interviews, and finally issuing an offer letter. Each step reflects the school's efforts and meticulous consideration to identify the most suitable teaching talents. Through this deliberate selection process, the school seeks to build a team of professional and internationally minded teachers to promote the holistic development of the school and the all-round growth of students.
Photo: The principal of Wanyuan City Concord Bilingual School is in full swing
General Manager Joanne Chong also shared the challenges encountered by her international school in the allocation of teacher resources, especially the problem of teacher resource loss. She pointed out that the unexpected absence of foreign teachers is a headache and that they can suddenly interrupt their teaching, even when they have already been formally employed. "This unforeseen absence of teachers caught us off guard and really caused a lot of confusion for the school's operations. In contrast, she added, the process of recruiting teachers in South Korea is easier and faster, and can usually be completed in a month or even as little as two weeks, which can alleviate the instability caused by teacher turnover to some extent.
图|Francis Parker总经理Joanne Chong
图|Francis Parker副院长YUN HYEKYEONG
03
Digitalization is driving international schools to new heights
As the digital age deepens, international schools are also benefiting. Shanghai is the country's first "Pilot Zone for Digital Transformation of Education", and Wanyuan City Union Bilingual School in Shanghai is also actively taking practical actions to promote the digital transformation of education. Through the use of ClassIn's online and offline blended teaching platform, the school explores new modes of teaching and learning, which are mainly reflected in four aspects:
First, implement flexible teaching and learning, regardless of time and place. When students are unable to attend classes due to special reasons, students can access online classes in real time at home through the ClassIn platform to ensure continuity of learning. In addition, the school has implemented open-ended classroom teaching, and the entire lesson is recorded, which is conducive to students reviewing what they have learned that day.
Second, to help teachers develop. The ClassIn platform supports teacher work meetings in schools, allowing more faculty and staff to participate in an efficient and modern way.
Third, assign online assignments. The school has optimized the assignment and evaluation process through digital means. With the help of the online course platform, teachers publish assignments, collect students' submissions and make corrections online in real time, and students' completion can be presented online.
Fourth, hold parent-teacher conferences. For schools, when there is not enough space or when more parents want to know about the school, online live streaming becomes a very practical option. Schools only need to send a link to parents, and parents can participate online.
The innovative integration of digital technology and education and teaching brought reflection and inspiration to the Korean delegation, which was not only a collision of educational ideas, but also an exploration of the future education model.
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After the meeting, the school led the Korean delegation to visit the school's classrooms, library, gymnasium and other places, demonstrating the school's excellent teaching configuration and elegant learning atmosphere. During the visit, the Korean delegation was amazed by the school's environment that integrates modern technology and education, the vibrant learning space, and the humanistic campus culture.
Cultivating international talents is the core mission of international schools in today's era, facing the challenges and opportunities of globalization. In the future, both schools will continue to be committed to providing students with a broader international vision and higher-level educational resources, so as to adapt to the ever-changing world education trends and further optimize students' global competitiveness.