Lesley Meyer is originally from Scotland, UK, and is a very experienced international school teacher and Headteacher. She graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in English and History and then completed a PGCE before taking up posts in schools in the UK, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland. Having taught A levels, the European Baccalaureate and the IB Diploma Programme Lesley considers herself privileged to have been able to build on the wide range of experience by teaching in Early Years and Elementary School.
During her career Lesley has worked for the UK government and the EU in recruitment and in policy groups, specializing in the areas of bilingual education, EAL, special needs and the integration of technology. She was a founding member of the International Task Force on Child protection and has delivered training to teachers in a number of schools. Lesley take seriously her commitment to the international community and is a team leader for school accreditation for the Council for International Schools.
This time Lesley came to talk about three key words: Confidence, Worldwide Citizen, Chinese Characteristics which are the consciousness advocated and cultivated in Dehong schools.
What is International education?
- Global perspectives
- Understanding and embracing differences andsimilarities
- Culture iceberg
Culture iceberg is worth thinking by the parent whoare pursuing long-term educational result, whether the language learning isjust a course or it can develop child an international perspective, understandor being understood by the world?
There is only a small part of culture visible. For instance, food,dress, paintings, architecture, and dance, etc. which is above the water line. A greater part of culture is hidden below the water line, such as views, attitudes, preference, love customs and habits. The hidden part of the cultureis the part which we "think" and "feel”, and deep below the"water line" are a culture's core values. These are primarily learnedideas of what is good, right, desirable, and acceptable, as well as what is bad, wrong, undesirable, and unacceptable.
The recognition of Chinese culture is the origin ofone's self-confidence and the starting of being able to accept another culture, so bilingual education in Dehong is very concerned about the level and depth of Chinese learning. Dehong combine the core curriculum of China with advanced international educational concepts, so that students can fully think and understand "who they are" and "understand their ownculture". "Respect Chinese education".
Only in this way can we provide an excellent bilingual education that enhances students' understanding of themselves and theworld, while being accepted and understood by the world, and enhances academic achievement and access to more professional opportunities, as well as thinking skills and problem-solving skills.
In Lesley's presentation, parents updated and recognized the standards of excellent bilingual education, while also referring to questions, such as "Do students need to learn many languages?“ "Is repeated practicing necessary?" " What is the reason why Dehong drama class is so valued?" Lesley answered one by one.
