To the parents and teachers responsible for educating the leaders of the next generation:
At the turn of the 20th century, we, as a society, were pioneers as we ushered in the new century and the beginning of the internet. Knowing what the internet was, it could only be speculated what it would become, and what we would be become once it became an inseparable part of our daily lives. One thing was for sure: the internet was going to connect the world, and if that was true, we would need a way to communicate with the world we would be connected with. For the children of the turn of the century, the skills they needed were Global awareness and the ability to speak English.
Now, two decades later, we are here. The world is indeed connected, and English is indeed one of the most important tools we have to facilitate the connection. Global awareness and English are no longer the skills of the future, but rather they are indispensible skills of the present day. This of course raises the most important question of the present day: What are the skills of the future? What do we need to be teaching our children today so that they are ready to face the world of tomorrow?
As we attempt to answer this question, we are forced to acknowledge some facts about our rapidly changing world:
* Knowledge and information, which was once a coveted resource held and even shaped by those in power, is now ubiquitous and accessible by the population at large.
* The size of the average family is smaller, which often means that more resources are focused on fewer numbers of people.
* The prevalence and forecast for industry automation means that many people will need to learn new skills to adapt and find a place in the world of tomorrow.
With the internet, AI, and translation technology, the teaching of global awareness, and even the teaching of English, are potentially replaceable or outdated skills. Moving forward, our parents and educators of today should be focusing on the cultivation of the following skills, which perhaps were once the skills of yesterday, but have been neglected, as the Age of Information has simultaneously connected and disconnected us:
1. Compassion
2. Curiosity
3. Communication
4. Collaboration
5. Creative Problem Solving
6. Critical Thinking
7. Emotion Management
8. Basic Life Skills / Social Skills
Despite the changing of a generation and the evolution of necessary skills, our school has kept the same mission and adhered to the same values during its 20 year history:
1. Our school teaches an international view.
2. Our teachers receive ongoing training.
3. Our school has a complete 9-year development program.
4. Our students' parents must believe that their own attitude is a large determinant of their child's future success.
If you agree with our school's vision for the future and would like to learn more about how to equip your child with 21st century skills, please give us a call and we can discuss how we can work together to guide our future leaders.