Cambridge International is one of the oldest and leading global curricula. Over 10,000 schools in over 160 countries worldwide follow the curriculum for the high standard of education it offers. This makes it highly recognised and accepted in universities and other organisations globally.
The Cambridge system focuses on deep subject learning and conceptual understanding to master the subject. This helps the student to be able to link various aspects of a subject and solve problems with ease. Higher-order thinking skills, such as critical thinking, are transferable skills that last a lifetime. They help students in all aspects of their lives.
The Cambridge approach to critical thinking
Centred around the student: Everything, including the subject and assessment, is designed around the student. At the ‘O’ Levels, there are 70 subjects in 30 languages, from which students can choose as per their interests. The ‘A’ Level has 55 subjects, similarly.
This system ensures that students study what they love and develop those skills. Thus, burnout rates are extremely less.
Well-spaced & innovative assessments: In the Cambridge system, students give their assessments at regular intervals instead of one single test. Their tests are only for their conceptual understanding. This ensures that students don’t cram in information. Rather, it’s a major factor in developing critical thinking skills.
The importance of experiential learning: Students study things in a practical way. They learn things by seeing them in action or experimenting rather than merely memorising theory.
Exposure to a global community: The Cambridge curriculum projects involve collaborating with students across the globe through visits and virtual interactions. This develops critical thinking skills by developing compassion, tolerance and mutual respect for other cultures.
At the primary level, teachers use the translanguaging method. This is for countries where students may not be adept in the English language. Here, students find support to think, analyse deeply and create ideas in their local language. This process is used till the learners are comfortable using the English language.
Storybooks, Doughnut Method, and Visual Organisers are another great way.
At the secondary grade level, methods such as Flipping the Learning, Exploiting Productive Activities, The Snowball Technique and the Ranking and Scales Method find use to develop critical thinking skills.
Thinking Skills course at Cambridge International AS & A Levels
This course design helps students foster transferable skills such as critical thinking skills, problem solving and reasoning. They help them solve real-world issues and apply them across a wide range of subjects. Through this, they equip themselves to analyse unfamiliar issues, design solution strategies, and evaluate diverse solving techniques.
Students become confident enough to make well-informed and reasoned decisions and construct evidence-based arguments. Hence, students become confident enough to progress further into higher spheres of learning and career opportunities. These critical thinking skills become an asset in life.
Skill Stork International School is also affiliated with the Cambridge curriculum at secondary ‘O’ Levels and Grade XI ‘A’ Levels. If you’re desiring an amazing future for your kid, look no further. Please feel free to contact us regarding our admissions process.