At Haut-Lac School, French is taught through a personalised approach so each student can progress at their own pace. We tailor lessons to individual levels and needs to ensure every student receives the support they need to develop their language skills effectively.
In today’s tech-driven world, the art of cursive writing often feels like a relic of the past. Yet, at Haut-Lac International Bilingual School, we firmly believe that teaching cursive writing remains a vital component of a well-rounded education.
Here’s why we integrate cursive writing into our curriculum and how it continues to benefit our students.
Let’s Take Learning Outdoors!
The “Outdoor Classroom” is an educational approach that involves conducting learning activities outside, in nature, or an outdoor environment, rather than in a traditional classroom.
In today's interconnected world, a quality education transcends borders and opens doors to a multitude of opportunities. It is not one size fits all, but rather a personalised route to success based on each student’s learning needs and future goals.
When Haut-Lac was founded thirty years ago, Switzerland was a very different place.
We were a much less technologically-savvy society, ignorant of how much and how quickly the world was set to change. The values we instill in our students have therefore had to evolve over time to compliment these constant developments.
I was sitting in an Italian translation class at university one day, when my teacher asked the bilingual students to raise their hands. Educated at Haut-Lac International Bilingual School as I was, I put my hand up. I spoke English and French at home in Switzerland and was studying Italian at university.
The teacher proceeded to say that true bilingualism is only achieved when one can do everything to the exact same level in both languages. Incorrect as his assumption was, it is only one of many untruths spread about bilingualism.
School is a time of great exploration. Yet it can also be a time of great fear, or of self-consciousness.
Public speaking, answering questions in class and trusting one’s own voice are all hurdles many students learn to overcome during their school years. It’s not always an easy journey though.
That is why, at Haut-Lac International Bilingual School, we provide pupils with tools and experiences to help them have faith in their own opinions and ideas.
Twenty years’ ago, when I asked my Science teacher why I had to learn about Pavlov and his dog if I didn’t want to be a scientist, she replied “because it’s part of the curriculum”.
In one way, I guess she was right but it was not the answer that was going to get me to go above and beyond in my learning.
What do you do when faced with a problem? Do you sit their and stare at it? At first maybe, but you’d eventually get up and do something else or find someone to discuss it with. Why? Because you need a fresh take on it. A new way of looking at it. A new idea.
Following on from this introduction to the Mantle of the Expert, MoE trainer Tammy recounts the journey of pedagogical discovery and deeper understanding she took along with six other Haut-Lac colleagues.
