Summer holidays are filled with relaxing on a beach, swimming in lakes, camping and hiking to unique regions, tasting new cuisine, and exploring old cobblestone street cities are now just distant memories. As the heat of August slowly melts away it reminds many vacationing international teachers that school is around the corner.
The month of August signals a restart of school for many countries for international educators, bringing school-wide induction training for new and returning staff. Somewhere in the world, right now, students are preparing to re enter school. With over 190 nations spanning the globe's 24 time zones, right now, international teachers are preparing to re enter school. They will come face to face with different academic school years, different lengths of school days, number of days school is in session for the year, possible workdays on Saturday and Sunday, different holiday breaks, and a range of student class sizes.
International schools may often follow a curriculum different from the host country, catering mainly to foreign students, such as members of expatriate communities, international businesses or organizations, diplomatic missions, or missionary programs. Many international schools’ are required to maintain some of the country's national educational guidelines and cultural values.
As a founding school leader, when induction rolls around it is important to lead as a restorative leader. as opposed to a traditional leader. A traditional leaders dictates the expectations and rules versus a restorative leader who builds upon the foundation that every individual deserves to be respected. Committed to respect, Restorative Leaders build relations and continually sustain a network of school communities by modelling restorative practices for others to learn. One restorative practice being used by leaders is called “Fair Practice”. Fair Practice consists of three principles: Expectation of clarity Explanation and Engagement.
As new and returning staff participate in induction, it is important to be very clear about the required school year, hours, workdays, holidays, school policies, staff responsibilities, professional development expectations, and cultural student expectations. Here is a sampling of international schools that share their requirements based on the local country’s guidelines, including the calendar year, hours in school for staff and students, class size, and dress codes.
Australia and Brazil attend school for 200 days a year. Their school year lasts from late January to mid December. These countries are in the southern hemisphere, it experiences summer while it's winter in the northern hemisphere. In Australia lunch is eaten at school, where in Brazil students typically go home at noon to share lunch with their family. All students wear uniforms. Class sizes are typically 23-24 students.
China is in the northern hemisphere, its summer months are in line with Asia, Europe, and North America. The typically school year runs from the beginning of September to mid-July. Students attend between 180 -200 days a year. Class sizes run from 24-30 students and students wear uniforms. Summer vacation is generally spent in summer classes or studying for entrance exams.
In France the school year stretches from August to June, and is divided into four seven-week terms, with one to two weeks of vacation in between. School runs a full day during the weekdays with a half day on Saturday, although students do not attend school on Wednesday or Sunday. Lunch is a two-hour break for public school students, most international schools have a 1 hour lunch break. The average number of students per class is thirty-three. Uniforms are not required although some private international schools will require uniforms.
Japanese schools run on a trimester schedule. The academic year begins in April and ends the following March, with breaks for summer, winter and spring separating the three terms. Class sizes run about twenty-nine students, along with strict uniform protocols. Interesting fact, the back packs, they are called Randoseru. Made of leather and durable synthetic leather, most children use the same Randoseru for 6 years.
South Korea typically runs from March to February. The year is divided into two semesters (March to July and September to February). Class sizes run thirty students, uniforms are required, and many students attend evening studies after dinner. Interesting fact: students attend school for 12- 16 hours a day.
Costa Rica’s typical school year runs from February to December. Students have vacation for about two months, from December to February, and a few weeks off in July. On average, there are about twenty-eight students in a classroom. Students are required to wear uniforms during the nine years of their formal education. Interesting fact : Costa Rica is one of the most literate nations in Central America with over 96% of students over age 15 being able to read.
In Iran students attend school for 10 months a year, or about 200 active days, from September to June. The average number of students per classroom is twenty seven. Boys and girls are educated separately. Girls typically have female teachers, while boys are taught by men. Interesting fact: Beginning at age 5, all students must pass a yearly exam in order to move to the next grade level.
In Kenya, the school year in this southern-hemisphere nation is divided into three terms, each 13 weeks long, with one-month breaks in between. Uniforms are mandatory, most classrooms have about thirty students in them. Some schools have students in school 11–14 hours a day, six days a week, starting at age 4. Most students upon graduation are able to speak three languages—in addition to reading and writing in English.
An interesting fact is that many international schools emphasize multilingual education, the requirements vary widely depending on the school and its curriculum. Some international schools might require students to learn multiple languages, especially those offering programs like the International Baccalaureate (IB), which often includes a strong emphasis on language acquisition. Some schools may offer bilingual education programs or dual language immersion from an early age, while others might provide opportunities to learn additional languages as elective courses rather than as a strict requirement.
In essence, while the end of summer brings a sense of melancholy, it also heralds the beginning of new opportunities and experiences. Furthermore, August serves as a time for educators to reconnect with colleagues, share experiences from their summer break, and collaborate on upcoming projects. It's a period of renewal and preparation, filled with anticipation and a bit of nostalgia for the leisurely days of summer. The balance between the excitement of a new school year and the longing for the freedom of vacation is a familiar sentiment for teachers worldwide.
As school leaders gear up for the new academic year and shift to being Restorative leaders by using the Fair Practice principles, they essentially are creating a positive and productive learning environment. By instituting the three E’s ( Expectation of clarity, explanation, and engagement) sets the tone for the entire academic year. Leadership and teachers must not only re-acclimate themselves to the school environment, but set goals, establish routines, and foster a sense of community within the school.
If you want to take the next step to create strong staff team interaction with your school, Let International Educational Consultants help you implement a leadership program based on Restorative Practices. Leverage the expertise of International Educational Consultants to address your school's induction and to assist overcoming challenges of the day-to-day implementation process. We offer consulting services, policy development and implementation, webinar training sessions, and face to face workshops. Connect with us.
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