The Challenge of Global Learning in State School Education
The Challenge of Global Learning in State School Education
While we are all busy keeping up a fast pace, living in the moment and getting on with daily life, the concept of “global learning” often fails to catch our attention at all.
However, it is not enough to think of globalisation, a topic that often comes up in the world of education, merely as an “ideal” or “unattainable” concept. At British Language Schools, we aim to offer our students not just language teaching but an education that will give them a global perspective.
Today, many schools and teachers find it hard to talk about global education in an exam-focused environment with high achievement targets. “Globalisation” is often seen as a theoretical idea, and the world of education cannot move as fast as the business world in giving students a “global” perspective. In fact, coming together with students in different parts of the world should go beyond a mere virtual meeting and turn into a deeper learning experience in which students truly understand different cultures and perspectives.
What Is the Role of Globalisation in Education?
At British Language Schools, we believe that developing a global perspective starts with the smallest steps. Globalisation in education is not only a broad vision but also a personal process that each student begins within their own cultural context. While globalisation began in the business world years ago, the field of education has not yet progressed at the same pace. But an education with a global perspective does not merely prepare students to become part of the workforce; it turns them into well-rounded individuals who are sensitive to the world.
The first step in creating a global curriculum is understanding the local and cultural context. Although education progresses more slowly than other fields such as trade and technology, this slowness also offers an opportunity for the education system to undergo a meaningful transformation. In this transformation, it is also important for families to take a more active part in their children’s educational journey. It is a fact that systems which cut education off from local culture also distance families from the process; a global perspective, however, can make families’ role in education more effective.
Defining Global Learning
The word “global” is often associated with business, marketing and technology, and it needs to be used with some care in education. At British Language Schools, we use the term “global” simply to mean having worldwide awareness and practice. A global curriculum involves students learning about different cultures and respecting different perspectives.
A curriculum consists of learning content and experiences based on a particular plan. The concept of a “global curriculum”, however, is not just about content; it is also a learning journey that raises students’ awareness of the world and of other cultures and encourages them to think in many dimensions. In this context, the goal of global learning in education is for students to go beyond borders and gain a broad perspective.
At British Language Schools, we aim to give our students not just a language but an education that makes them feel like citizens of the world. To this end, we integrate a global perspective into our teaching and enable our students to connect with the world and develop their ability to understand different cultures. In this way, going beyond language learning, we aim to help our students become individuals who can express themselves in both local and global settings.
