SETTING UP AN INTERNATIONAL SISTER SCHOOL Datuk Prof Dr. Hjh. Bibi Florina Abdullah Pro-Chancellor/President Lincoln University College Malaysia To change the image on this slide, select the picture and delete it. Then click the Pictures icon in the placeholder to insert your own image.

Salam Persahabatan

OVERSEAS LEARNING EXPERIENCE Language immersion programs Curriculum-focused programs Cultural study programs Overseas service and community engagement projects Sporting and arts programs Individual student exchange programs Exchange programs with sister schools

BACKGROUND

DEFENITION A sister school relationship is the development of a positive association intrastate, interstate or overseas through the establishment of links between schools and school communities. The opportunity to participate in a sister school relationship is open to any school with a desire to learn more about a culture other than their own. Sister school relationships can be established under a Memorandum of Understanding or independently.

AIMS SISTER SCHOOL To strengthen the relationship between schools in country, intrastate, interstate and overseas countries; To increase global awareness and intercultural understanding To broaden the knowledge and understanding of students by enabling them to gain an understanding, appreciation and respect for other cultures; To support the teaching of that language in the country school and English in the overseas school; To develop ties of friendship through regular communication;

AIMS SISTER SCHOOL CONT To develop opportunities for teachers to exchange course material, information on methods and practices and on educational matters in general; To provide opportunities for contact and interaction with the wider school community; To promote Victorian education overseas, and To facilitate visits of students and teachers to the sister school. AIMS SISTER SCHOOL

THREE COMPONENTS OF SISTERS SCHOOOL The Local Sister School Organization The Schools Sister Cities International

BENEFIT TO TEACHERS Increased staff motivation, confidence and moral Opportunities for sharing pedagogies and curriculum Increased knowledge and experience of a different education system first hand; Professional development by exchanging ideas and knowledge; Broader educational horizons by adding a global perspective; and Improved proficiency in languages through added involvement in the language and culture. Increased staff motivation, confidence and moral Development of personal relationships

BENEFIT TO STUDENTS Opportunities for purposeful, genuine and authentic communication Improved competence and confidence in the use of technology Increased enthusiasm to learn languagea and access to native speakers; and Access to new ideas and experiences by working closely with different cultures and educational systems; Broadened understanding, acceptance and tolerance of other cultures Knowledge and experience of a different culture first hand; Increased global awareness and intercultural skills

SISTER SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP Increase the understanding of other cultures Increase the understanding and appreciation of one’s own culture/country Have significant positive effects on global awareness and attitudes Positively impact on the personal development of students Improve students ability to adjust to different situations support a school’s languages program; Increase understanding of the importance of language learning and increase motivation / enthusiasm for language learning Internationalise the outlook of the whole school community

FOR STUDENTS Increased motivation, as they have an audience for their work in a school in another country Enhanced key skills, including ICT use, communication and foreign language skills Greater cultural awareness through direct contact with peers in other countries.

FOR SCHOOL STAFF Direct contact with education professionals in another country An awareness of teaching and/or management approaches used in another country Sharing and celebration of your own professional expertise and experience Using sister school contacts as a first step to international linking and gaining the Cultural Diversity Quest Award.

BENEFIT FOR SISTER SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP Intercultural understanding within the school community Increased global awareness and internationalisation within the school community. Opportunities to better understand one’s own culture/country. Personal development of the student eg leadership, maturity, independence. Improved ability of students to adjust to different situations.

BENEFIT FOR SISTER SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP CONT. Opportunities for sharing pedagogies and engage in joint curriculum development Opportunities for professional development. Opportunities for reciprocal travel. Enhancing the reputation of the school. Improved competence and confidence in the use of technology by teachers involved in the program. Sister schools benefited their students by getting them to look beyond their own world and understand the lives of other people in a genuine, meaningful way.

INTERNATIONALIZATION International partnerships develop cultural awareness and sensitivity and an appreciation of a different way of life. Networks are established and new perspectives developed. Sister schools encourage a global outlook on life and have the flow-on effect of internationalising the ethos of the whole school community.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Intercultural exchanges encourage greater competency and confidence in language learning and communication skills. Information communication and technology skills are also enhanced as students interact through wikis, blogs and Skype.

PARTNERSHIP SUSTAINABLE Memorandum of Understanding Annual action plan Broad ownership Regular communication Partnerships need not include visits Take advantage of digital technology to keep up connections with your sister school

“Your positive action combined with positive thinking results in success’’ -Shiv Khera

THANK YOU! Enquiries:+603-78063478 email: info@lincoln.edu.my OR bibi@lincoln.edu.my +60-12-382-4757