Primary school-aged children have huge capacity for learning. From as young as 2 until 12, their brains have extraordinary levels of plasticity and a capacity to learn. As they spend more time than usual at home, and with technology taking up a larger part of our lives, we launched our online classes Primary Plus Online with the same teachers and the same curriculum.
Primary Plus Online provides holistic English language and soft skills learning, such as creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration, which are crucial for the success of the next generation. How learning is delivered to children can help them gain these important 21st century lifeskills and you can follow the progress of every child through the Learning Hub. Learn more here
Our classes for children provide comprehensive learning of English and soft skills, designed to develop 21st century competencies and help them compete in the challenging job market of the future.
At the British Council, we want to make sure young learners remain up to date with their learning and development. We have recreated the face to face experience on a new digital platform. Our online classes hold less children in one setting, which helps students focus more. Collaborative work will still take place during breakout sessions that are overseen by our qualified teachers. The unique Primary Plus magazines children use to learn English in class have been migrated to an electronic version, and internet safety has been ensured at every stage of the process.
We use new teaching methods to equip children with in-demand future skills, and to ensure children learn well with us, we make sure we provide a learning environment that can foster this. Here are five essential characteristics of online classes that foster a positive learning environment :
1. Developing their problem solving and critical thinking skills
A good education delivers independent people who are resourceful and can think of different and new ways to solve a problem. Primary Plus curriculum is designed to develop children’s critical thinking, and as they continue their learning online, more opportunities exist to develop these skills, such as using the search engine to find the meaning of new words, or browsing the internet for resources to help them complete their projects.
2. Incorporating technology
Parents are often complaining of how screens are becoming a huge part of their children’s lives. But they can also complement in-class sessions and help children to develop a healthy relationship with technology. Digital literacy of online learners will improve with Primary Plus Online, which can have a positive effect on their attitude towards learning in general. Generally, learning becomes in the hands of the students, allowing them to co-create presentations and hone their inter-personal skills. Online learning resources also allow for them to learn at their own pace, personalised to each need, and the dashboard showcases their progress, giving them a clear sense of development.
3. Learning through play
A wide variety of edutainment videos and other resources are designed for Primary Plus Online to teach students through play. A playful pedagogy allows for meaningful learning. Children have an incredible natural ability to learn through play, helping to stimulate their curiosity and creativity all while learning new vocabulary, or math and science concepts.
4. Building a growth mindset
Each child learns at their own pace and encouraging internal belief has a sizeable impact on their development. Active listening, continuous two-way dialogue and praising perseverance, helps to improve confidence and resilience. It also signals that the environment is safe for learning, allowing children to grow personally, socially and emotionally. Primary Plus teachers are well educated on the concept, and part of this approach is to work with parents as partners, as the home environment is one of the most influential factors in a child’s development.
5. Encouraging collaboration
By shifting teaching to allow for collaboration and debate, children are able to compare results and discuss ideas, giving them ownership of their learning. Building things together in the classroom or at home with their parents, and seeing the results of their collaborative work teaches children valuable lessons of teamwork and empathy. Ultimatlely, it develops better socially adept citizens who can work with different people from all parts of the world later on.
To register your child for Primary Plus contact The British Council