We are living in exciting, but turbulent, times. This is a period of fantastically rapid change brough about by advances in technology. These changes have brought about new work opportunities but have also been the death of others. Considering the rate of change in our society, teachers today have little idea of what future they are preparing children for. In this context, traditional approaches to classroom practice are becoming obsolete and the educational community needs to rethink what it is we can offer the youth of today that will stand them usefully in an uncertain future.

For this reason, we have embraced the 21st Century skills approach in our classrooms. This curriculum moves beyond the traditional goals of classrooms as sources of knowledge transmission. Instead, it aims to build viable skills and strategies that students are likely to need, including soft skills, leadership, and the ability to communicate both intra- and transnationally. The guiding principle is that knowledge acquisition in its traditional sense is only of use if it serves the development of the 4Cs: the skills of Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical thinking. The 4Cs, in turn, are the foundation for character-building traits of empathy, curiosity, initiative, grit, leadership, adaptability and self-awareness. These character traits are the building blocks of success in adult life. Our program aims to push students past curricula knowledge, and instead to build the skills needed for success beyond school.

Dr. Stephen Louw has over 30 years of teaching experience in nine countries. His academic specialization is teacher education, and has trained English language teachers in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.