Going Global: Preparing U.S. Students for an Interconnected World

1. Going Global:Preparing U.S. Students for an Interconnected World Nebraska Summit on International Education May 6, 2008 Heather Singmaster Senior Program Associate, Education Asia Society hsingmaster@asiasociety.org

2. Definition: What is International Education? • Knowledge of other world regions, cultures, and global/international issues • Skills in communicating in languages other than English, working in global or cross-cultural environments, and using information from different sources around the world • Values of respect and concern for other cultures and peoples • International education is not seen as an additional, separate subject but rather as integrated into all the major curriculum areas

3. Innovations in Schools • Walter Payton College Prep High School • Diverse school in Chicago • Every student takes 4 years of language (Chinese, Japanese, Latin, French and Spanish) • Partnerships with schools in China, France, North Africa, Japan, Switzerland, Chile, Italy and South Africa. (Videoconferences, homestays, sister schools)

4. Innovations in Schools • John Stanford International School • Public K-5 bilingual immersion school in Seattle • Students spend half day studying math, science, culture and literacy in either Japanese or Spanish; the other half of the day is spent learning reading, writing and social studies in English • Partnerships with local offices of multinational businesses • Offers ESL courses for children and after-school courses for their parents • Seattle now plans 10 internationally focused schools

5. Innovations in Schools • Diverse student body in suburb of Chicago • One-year international studies requirement for graduation • Area studies courses on the history, literature and art of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East and global issues courses • Ongoing professional development through partnerships with local university area studies centers Evanston Township High School

6. Innovations in Schools International School of the Americas • Urban, public, magnet in San Antonio, TX • Emphasis on experiential learning: Model UN. Study trips to Zacatecas, Mexico and the Heifer Ranch • Science Partnerships with Japan • Partnerships with local teacher colleges and museums • Every student has internship with international focus

7. Asia Society’s International Studies Schools Network (ISSN) • 11 ISSN schools: Charlotte, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Mathis (TX), and New York • 2 Anchor schools (red stars): Bloomfield (CT) and San Antonio

8. What are the Elements of these Globally-Oriented School? • Global vision • Modernize curriculum by integrating international content across all subject areas • Emphasize language proficiency • Use technology • International experiences – travel, local internships

9. Integrate international content in all curriculum areas • Science & Math: Apply scientific study to real world problems • English Language Arts: Add international texts • Social Studies: Connect the local to the global and the past to the present. Make it come alive through simulation exercises.

10. Integrate international content in all curriculum areas (cont.) • Visual & Performing Arts: Examine similarities and differences in cultures • Physical Education: Integrate international dances, sports and eastern martial arts and include study of the associated culture • Interdisciplinary and capstone projects: In-depth study of a world region or issue

11. Emphasize Effective Language Learning • Make time – Start in elementary school and have instruction daily • Ensure that students are engaged – focus on communication • Create opportunities for cultural interaction – in the community, online or through study abroad • Develop content-based learning – deliver lessons in other subjects in a second language • Example: Glastonbury, CT, instituted a K-8 language requirement – 93% of students study at least one language; high school continues sequence

12. Use technology to access broader knowledge and connect schools to schools around the world • Tap global information sources – universities, news organizations, companies and think tank websites • Online courses can offer students international content they don’t usually have access to • Create classroom-to-classroom collaborations through iEARN or videoconferencing • Publish student projects on the web

13. Partner Schools “Every school in the U.S. should have a link with a school in another country.” -Connecticut has linked more than 85 schools with schools in Shandong province, with teacher and student exchanges.

14. Critical Gap • Most teachers are not prepared to teach about global issues • Of the top 50 colleges and universities that train teachers, only a small number require any coursework on Asian history or international subjects like economics for those preparing to teach social studies/history.

15. Provide Teacher Opportunities • Universities offer professional development in world regions and global issues • Travel programs can broaden and enrich teachers’ worldview and perspectives • School visits allow teachers to see how other schools are internationalizing • Professional conferences such as ISSA

16. Partner with local businesses, museums, communities with international links • Universities and colleges offer international specialists, and courses for teachers • Businesses offer student internships, donations, executive for a day • Cultural groups from local heritage organizations to museums to World Affairs Councils to embassies, offer activities, and materials

17. What can Nebraska do? • Use MOUs with China and Spain to establish more sister school partnerships. • Include business, policy, education – including higher education teacher training programs – and cultural institutions on your steering committee. • Workshops on how to infuse international education into the curriculum – using existing lesson plans or guidebook

18. Resources • Upcoming Asia Society Event: • Putting the World into World-Class Education: Forum for International Education Policy and Practice • July 10 -12, 2008 • Washington, DC www.AsiaSociety.org/Education

19. Resources for Policymakers:InternationalEd.org

20. Resources for Schools:AskAsia.org • Featuring: • Multidisciplinary Classroom Resources: • Lesson Plans • Maps • Readings • Art Images • Interactive features for students and kids

21. Resources See AskAsia.org/Chinese