The role of the additional language teacher in the PYP community Global Language Convention, Singapo

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The role of the additional language teacher in
the PYP community Global Language Convention,
SingaporeFiona Davis, Diane Fisk
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Towards a common understanding
Implications
The next step
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What does the PYP mean by additional language?
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IBO Standards and Practices
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(as of February 2006)
68 67 39 78
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How many additional language teachers are there?
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IBO Standards and Practices
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All additional-language teachers are PYP
teachers
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The role of the additional-language teacher
How does the school ensure that the
additional-language teachers view themselves as
PYP teachers and are considered part of the PYP
community?
PYP Guidelines for developing a school language
policy (IBO 2006 Online Curriculum Centre)
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that they should adhere to PYP philosophy ?
that they should include the five essential
elements in their teaching whenever possible ?
that they should teach through inquiry whenever
possible ?
that they should plan collaboratively whenever
possible ?
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State-sponsored teachers to teach Chinese
overseas Minimum requirements include a
university degree two years of teaching
experience Putonghua (Mandarin) level 2A or
above aged under 55 and a good command of the
target country's language. Applicants will need
to pass three exams organized by the office a
foreign language test a general test (such as
expression, psychology, speech, personality and
appearance) a professional skills test
(applicants will be required to fulfil a teaching
task). More than 6,000 qualified applicants have
enrolled in the office's reserve force of
teachers.
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What does inquiry look like in our classrooms?
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Can we teach an additional language through
inquiry?

• Language is the main medium of inquiry

• Literature is a vehicle for inquiry

• Language is, by nature, transdisciplinary

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What do inquirers look like?

• Exploring, wondering and questioning

• Making connections between previous and current
  learning

• Deepening understanding through the application
  of a concept

• Researching and seeking information

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IBO Standards and Practices relating to planning
C2.2 Planning at the school takes place
collaboratively.
C2.10 Planning at the school makes effective use
of the PYP planning process across the curriculum
and by all teachers.
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Additional-language teachers in the PYP programme
of inquiry

• Integrating or supporting a unit within the
  programme of inquiry

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What is the PYPs main tool for documenting

• teaching through inquiry?

• teaching through central ideas?

• collaborative planning?

• reflection?

The PYP planner
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Victoria Shanghai Academy, Hong Kong
There is an emphasis on teamwork. Chinese and
English teachers plan together to ensure the
integration of subject areas and a balanced
education for students.
(From Victoria Educational Organisation website)
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How can additional language teachers use the
planner?
We use different language to talk about habitual
actions or events in the past.
Where we are in space and time
At the end of the four weeks, students will be
asked to write about key events in their own
lives, and things that they used to do when they
were younger, but no longer do. They will explain
why they no longer do these things. The teacher
will compare the language written to oral
language used to discuss these issues at the
start of the inquiry (recorded on tape).
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Fiona Davis fiona.davis_at_ibo.orgDiane Fisk
dfisk_at_victoria.edu.hk