Personalised Learning
One size does not fit all !
Learning is a fluid activity—no student learns the same way or at the same pace. With a personalised learning approach, each student is provided a learning journey that tailors to their needs and interests. This is a student centred approach to education, where classroom practices begin from the understanding that students all learn differently and are always at a different points in their learning journey to their peers. To adequately support each student on their learning journey, the element of personalisation is vital.
Ming-De teachers begin by getting to know each student – as a person and as a learner -and helping them discover what works best for them. Being such a small community and having the advantage of a low student-teacher ratio allows for more time to be allocated for teachers to get to know student’s strengths, passions, and areas of opportunity through individual discussions, observation, assessment, academic history, and conversations with parent/carer(s).
Knowing individual students allows our teachers to offer collaborative and social learning opportunities that are specifically chosen to enhance learning. They can provide more individualised support and interventions to help students who are struggling academically or socially. Teachers create environments where students feel they belong, where they can take risks, and can ask when they need more support.
Our teachers are supported by individual class teacher aides, allowing them to better meet the needs of each student in the classroom. With more adults in the classroom, students can receive more individual attention, improving academic performance and behaviour.
Bilingual Education
The Bilingual nature of our School provides advantages for our students in their development of thinking and learning skills (cognition), language skills, and social skills. Studies have shown that speaking two or more languages can improve cognitive functions like memory, problem-solving, and multi-tasking. Bilingual individuals are also believed to have a better ability to switch between tasks and manage distractions.
Speaking multiple languages allows individuals to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Bilingualism promotes tolerance and empathy towards people from diverse backgrounds and fosters a sense of global community.
Bilingual individuals have an advantage in communication, as they are able to communicate with a wider range of people, including those who speak different languages. This can lead to better interpersonal relationships and opportunities for cultural exchange.
In today's global economy, being bilingual can be a significant asset in the job market. Bilingual individuals are often in high demand in industries such as international business, diplomacy, healthcare, and education.
How do we do this?
At Ming-De International School the aim is for every child to have the opportunity to develop their language skills in both Chinese and Standard Australian English.
This is achieved using a Content and language integrated learning (CLIL) pedagogical approach that involves students learning a language through content from other key learning areas (KLAs). At Ming-De we implement a full immersion approach where a key learning area (for example, English, Mathematics, Science, HASS) is delivered in Standard Australian English integrating both the subject and the students learning in English literacy.
Likewise, our students Chinese language skills are developed through a designated Chinese language class and related culturally based classes (for example Ancient Chinese Reading, Moral Course and Home and Learn and Practice).
