Teaching and Learning at SJI International

The attributes of the IB Learner Profile underpin much of the teaching and learning throughout SJI International with a desire to develop curious, independent and confident learners from Grades 7 right through to Grade 12.

The most important principle within the school’s educational philosophy is that of active learning. Students learn and, above all, understand best when information and concepts are processed. This processing takes place through activity. It is even more powerful when students first discover for themselves the information or concept and then process it.

Crucially, active learning is about students doing. This involves a wide range of activities, which will vary according to the subject: research, role plays, simulations, thinking exercises, decision making exercises, debates, presentations and so on. This provides a stimulating educational environment and one that is intellectually challenging for the students.

With a greater emphasis on the students’ learning there also comes greater demand for participation from the students. It is not a matter of putting questions to the teacher, but of the students expressing their own opinions; being able to debate, defend, challenge, deduce, analyse and synthesize.

This type of learning is facilitated by smaller more interactive classes that rely on a blend of teacher led activities, group work, and class activities may well be led by students. This means that lecture or lecture-style lessons are an extremely rare method of delivery at SJII.

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