HIGH QUALITY LEARNING AND TEACHING AT UTS - UTS
HIGH QUALITY LEARNING AND TEACHING AT UTS
STATEMENT OF HIGH QUALITY LEARNING AND TEACHING

As an international bilingual school, UTS strives for all members of our community – students, teachers and staff – to become lifelong learners who are constantly working to become the best versions of themselves. We believe that high quality learning and teaching should enable learners of all ages and backgrounds to develop socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. We seek to create learners that are multi-lingual, scientifically minded, innovative and ambitious. UTS does this by building our school’s guiding statements and curricula around UTS’ six core values: creativity, contribution, courage, integrity, lifelong learning, and respect.

  • Creativity means giving our students the space to define themselves as special and unique, promoting meaningful learning experiences to bring out all the talents of every student.
  • Contribution means making sure our students learn about where they come from and that they believe and understand why giving back to their communities – at school, local, national and international levels – is one of the most important aspects of building a healthy society.
  • Courage means allowing our students to self-actualize and take risks, standing up for the things they believe in and challenging the status quo. It means overcoming our own limitations while staying true to who we are.
  • Integrity means building a willingness in our students to accept their faults and grow from them, being truthful, authentic and reliable. Our teachers and staff act as role models for the behavior we expect of all members of our community.
  • Lifelong learning means fostering an intrinsic value in education for our students and teachers that arouses our interest in our community and the greater world we want to build
  • Respect means promoting an acceptance of multi-culturalism and of people that are different than us. It means respect for the environment, for our communities and for building social justice.

The UTS curriculum is made up of a combination of subjects and skills set forth in the Vietnamese education system as well as the British and American education systems. Our teachers and staff demonstrate a deep knowledge and understanding of the subjects they teach, as well as the expected outcomes for our students. They take a holistic approach to building and developing our students’ personal, social, and academic lives.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

In order to further support our students reach the desired levels of achievement, UTS has started the academic support program. We understand that some students may have trouble adapting to the rigors of our program. We also understand that many of our students come from different backgrounds and have different skillsets, which is to be expected in all learning environments. However, we still want our programs to be accessible to all of our students, regardless of their final outcomes or skill levels.

Thus, the academic support program has been designed to make the curriculum more accessible to the students who are behind the achievement outcome of their respective year level in English Language acquisition. These students will be placed into small groups of 4-5 students to support the students with more foundational English knowledge, allowing for more personalized instructions to help the students achieve their goals.

We know that all UTSers are more than capable of growing, and we want to focus on both the growth of the students as well as the outcome. The growth process gives the students the confidence and courage to participate and take part in classes, helps their achievement and overall learning processes. This program will provide students who have struggled in classes the opportunity to catch up to their other peers in a safe, judgment free zone where the teachers are specially trained to deal with struggling students. In the end, our hope is that this program will help bring your student in line with where we all want and expect them to be!

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

Global Citizenship at UTS is a shared commitment to positive change, embracing diversity and embodying our core values of Contribution, Creativity, Courage, Integrity, Respect and Lifelong Learning. It’s about nurturing compassionate leaders who, within a safe and innovative environment, strive for excellence, understanding, and a better world for all.

INTERCULTURAL LEARNING

At UTS, we embrace our core values of contribution, creativity, courage, integrity, respect, and lifelong learning as the foundation of our educational mission. These core values guide us in our pursuit of excellence in education and form the cornerstone of our commitment to fostering intercultural learning within our community.

Intercultural learning refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes that support the ability of learners to understand culture and interact with people from different cultures. In order to develop sophisticated understanding of culture, learners must combine a sense of cultural self-awareness which will form the basis for comparisons and interaction with other cultures. Intercultural learning may be culture specific or culture general.

Intercultural learning is not just a subject in our curriculum – it is a dynamic aspect of our students’ educational journey. Our commitment to intercultural learning reflects our understanding that diversity enriches our lives, broadens our perspectives, and nurtures the growth of well-rounded individuals.

Scope and Sequence of Intercultural Learning:

1. Skills:

Communication: We equip our students with effective communication skills that transcend cultural boundaries, emphasizing active listening and empathy.

Critical Thinking: We encourage our students to analyze and evaluate different cultural perspectives, fostering open-mindedness and a deeper understanding of the world.

Conflict Resolution: Our students learn to resolve intercultural conflicts peacefully, promoting harmony and mutual respect.

2. Knowledge:

Cultural Awareness: We instill in our students a profound awareness of the richness and complexity of various cultures, fostering a sense of curiosity and appreciation.

Global Citizenship: We empower our students with knowledge about global issues, encouraging them to actively engage in addressing global challenges.

Historical and Contemporary Perspectives: Our curriculum explores historical and contemporary intercultural interactions, enabling students to make connections between past and present.

3. Attitudes:

Empathy and Inclusivity: We nurture empathy, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging, creating a school environment where every student feels valued regardless of their cultural background.

Curiosity and Open-Mindedness: We cultivate curiosity and open-mindedness, encouraging our students to explore new ideas, cultures, and beliefs with enthusiasm.

Cultural Humility: Our students develop cultural humility, understanding that there is always more to learn and appreciating the value of diverse perspectives.

Our Multilingual, Multicultural Community: Our students learn in multiple languages and have the opportunity to learn additional languages that they have passions for and interests in.

At UTS, our commitment to intercultural learning is vividly reflected in our diverse teaching staff. Our educators come from a multitude of cultural backgrounds and speak various languages. This rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives enriches our classrooms and provides students with the opportunity to engage with diverse beliefs and cultures on a daily basis.

Intercultural learning is not confined to formal lessons; it is embedded in the very fabric of our school. Our students interact with our multicultural teaching staff not only in the classroom but also through extracurricular activities, cultural events, and community projects. We believe that these interactions are vital in fostering a genuine appreciation for diversity and building the intercultural competence needed to thrive in our increasingly interconnected world.

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

At US Vietnam Talent International School, we firmly believe that nurturing responsible Digital Citizens through Digital Citizenship Education is integral to our mission of safeguarding our students’ well-being and cultivating their knowledge, skills, and attitudes as global citizens. To ensure a comprehensive approach, we adopted the UNESCO Digital Citizenship Model Framework. This framework, which aligns seamlessly with our guiding statements and core values as an educational institution, harmonizes with our commitment to preparing our students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and digital world.

 

UNESCO Digital Citizenship Themes and UTS Core Values Alignment
Digital Literacy Digital Wellness Digital Technology
Supporting individuals as they locate and analyze digital information, digitally communicate and collaborate, and create digital content. Supporting individuals as they navigate modern digital technologies to abide by rules and norms, cultivate and manage a healthy digital identity, secure their data, and maintain a healthy balance of online and offline activities. Supporting individuals as they become aware, access, and cultivate skills to leverage modern digital technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, adaptive learning, open educational resources) for learning, work, leisure, and active civic engagement across their lifespan with their communities, nation, and world.
Courage Integrity Contribution
UTS students are patient, persistent, ready to conquer personal goals and face challenges, confident to express their point of view with strong knowledge, skills and language competence. UTS students keep their promises, always respect the truth, and say no to wrongdoings in society. UTS students apply the knowledge and skills they have learned to benefit themselves, their families, and society.
Creativity Respect Lifelong learning
UTS students develop the spirit of innovation and creativity, and know how to develop and apply new ideas. UTS students understand and respect other people and cultures while retaining national and individual identities. UTS students constantly explore and learn from their surroundings and apply their knowledge and experiences in real life.

Global Citizenship and Sustainability Committee. 2023