Robin Klymow
Director of Studies
What are the particular elements of the IB programme that promote independent learning?
Independent learning is a very common phrase and you can see it on many school websites. It is not always clear how that is being developed. Independent learning is not just a phrase, but is something educators want students of all ages to develop.
From Kindergarten students tidying up and arranging things, returning and getting out objects without being told or reminded indicates the beginning of those skills. Ultimately students are faced in university with a requirement to produce a paper or dissertation of 10,000 words researched evidence and cited. That’s a long way to go from putting jigsaw pieces in a box when you are three to writing a research paper at university.
The IB has been well recognized by universities all over the world for its work in helping students become independent thinkers and workers. One of the reasons for this recognition is the fact that a culminating and final piece of work in the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) requires a project designed with specific criteria issued by the IB.
The exhibition in PYP is a culmination of a student’s skills development, knowledge acquisition and learning attitudes that are evidence of their own independent learning. It is not an easy process for a ten-year old student as this process. Students are encouraged to take action in the community and are the IB mission in action. The work towards the exhibition is completed on a weekly basis over the final grade 5 year.
The Personal Project is an important part of the MYP curriculum, it consolidates learning throughout the programme. It also enables examiners to formally assess students’ approaches to learning skills for self-management, research, communications, critical and creative thinking. The Personal Project therefore is descriptive of the students’ learning journeys, celebrating the successful completion of the final year of the MYP study in Grade 10.
Finally, in the IBDP at Grades 11 and 12, there is the extended essay It is an independent piece of research, culminating with a 4,000-word paper. The extended essay provides practical preparation for undergraduate research an opportunity for students to investigate a topic of personal interest to them, which relates to one of the student’s six DP subjects, or takes the interdisciplinary approach of a World Studies extended essay. Through the research process for the extended essay, students develop skills in: formulating an appropriate research question, engaging in a personal exploration of the topic, communicating ideas and developing an argument.
This process of work through the IB has significant learning advantages and is well recognized by educators in colleges and universities alike.
Thank you
Robin Klymow.
Director of Studies
Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Dien
MYP Coordinator
At the end of Semester 1, Grade 2 students have a chance to create a portrait of their best friend based on their observational skills. Students have learned how to draw eyes, noses, mouths and have then applied their technical skills to draw a portrait showing emotion. They have worked hard and are happy with their results.
Ms. Ciara Lucey
Primary English Teacher
In this unit, Grade 1 students have explored the Community and its members. We have also explored how communities celebrate together. Our grade ones looked at the different holidays we celebrate in Vietnam. They worked together to share, through drawings, what each holiday meant to them. As a class we then had a gallery walk of the finished products. Students expressed their family traditions through drawings and discussed their favorite holiday celebrations together.
Ms. Pham Thi Huong Tra
Early Years Coordinator
LEARN IN GROUP AND STUDENT’S INTERESTS
The special feature of the program at Tesla is that students learn in groups and their interests. Each week, the students at Tesla have 2 elective lessons. This time, students can choose their subjects according to their interests. With interest-based activities, students will enjoy and explore in a more relaxed and comfortable way. Besides, students learn from each other when they research the same topic. This is an opportunity to help students learn more easily and promote each student’s abilities. In a class of many ages, the younger children will learn from their older friends, and the older ones will guide them. With interest-based classes, students will have many opportunities to fully develop their special abilities.
Here are pictures from an elective lesson:
Mr. Nguyen Truong Ton
Head of MOET
Fire Protection is one of the requirements in school safety. Fire Drills help all teachers, staff, and students learn how to escape safely and stay calm when school has a fire incident.
Winter Concert with the theme of Wonderland – Cold Days, Warm Hearts
It was very successful right in the school’s Dance room, Tesla feels very proud that every student standing on stage confidently shows their talents.
The program not only shows their talents but also learns to share and empathize.
These are outdoor activities of students at the Phu Nhuan campus on the morning of December 9, 2020. On that morning, the weather in Saigon was cold, and Christmas trees also appeared in the Phu Nhuan schoolyard. The little students were excited about the appearance of a tall Christmas tree decorated with glitter balls. Decorating activities help students experience and learn about a vibrant festive season at the end of the year.
We would like to thank you for joining us in the Tesla’s PYP Information Moring Saturday, December 12, 2020. We will upload the PYP information presentation onto our school’s website so that you can have a recap of the information. Our Tesla Admissions Team will be following up with all participants by email next week to support you with any further information you may need.
Tesla Education Group encourages and supports academic excellence across all areas of the curriculum and is committed to nurture each student’s academic talents. Tesla is pleased to offer a limited number of Academic Scholarship ranging from 25% to 100% for Secondary students who are entering Semester 2 of this School Year 2020 – 2021. Please note that all scholarship applications must be received by Friday 15 Jan 2021.
If you would like to receive more information regarding enrollment, please contact Tesla at: admission@tesla.edu.vn.
Read more: Prestigious and high-quality international secondary school in HCMC
