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Effective questioning in the classroom cultivates learning processes and brain development in students. When used strategically, it stimulates students to think, reflect on learning, and explain their comprehension.

The following sections will delve into the meaning of effective questioning, its advantages, and 9 powerful questioning techniques to maximise students’ learning results.

What Is Effective Questioning In the Classroom?

Effective questioning in the classroom refers to the purposeful use of questions by teachers to stimulate student thinking, assess understanding, and encourage deeper inquiry.

Rather than relying solely on questions with straightforward answers, skilled educators use open-ended, thought-provoking prompts that invite discussion, foster curiosity, and promote reasoning.

Such questioning techniques are not incidental but deliberately planned. They help guide lessons, check for misconceptions, and scaffold learning.

The way teachers ask questions, including their words, timing, and types of questions, directly influences how your child responds and stays engaged in learning.

For example, higher-order questions based on Bloom’s taxonomy challenge students to analyse, evaluate, and create, whereas lower-order questions may focus on recalling facts.

At UNIS Hanoi, we ensure our educators receive professional development in this area to support high-quality teaching and learning across all grade levels.

Benefits Of Effective Questioning For Students

Effective questioning goes beyond checking for correct answers. It transforms the classroom into an active, collaborative space where learning thrives. For parents, understanding these benefits underscores the importance of teacher-student interactions.

• Develop Critical Thinking Skills: Thought-provoking questions push students to examine their reasoning and explore various viewpoints. This nurtures independent thinking and problem-solving abilities that are essential for lifelong learning.
• Enable Teachers to Assess Learning: Through questions, teachers can gauge student comprehension in real-time, identifying areas of misunderstanding and adjusting instruction accordingly. This ongoing assessment helps ensure every child receives the support they need.
• Develop Students’ Metacognition: Reflecting on their thinking helps students understand how they learn. This awareness enables them to apply learning strategies more effectively and take ownership of their progress.

UNIS Hanoi’s educators use it to build knowledge and support students’ emotional and cognitive growth. We use questioning to develop curious, confident learners ready to make a meaningful impact.

Top 9 Effective Classroom Questioning Techniques

Effective questioning in the classroom is best achieved when teachers draw from a repertoire of strategies that engage all students. Below are 9 powerful techniques we use at UNIS Hanoi to foster deeper thinking and enhance understanding.

How Do You Know?

This strategy prompts students to explain the reasoning behind their answers. It helps them articulate the evidence or logic supporting their thinking, reinforcing their understanding.

UNIS Hanoi’s teachers routinely ask students “How do you know?” during discussions in subjects like Mathematics and Science. This encourages learners to move beyond guessing and become confident in justifying their conclusions using facts or personal observations.

What’s the Same and What’s Different?

Comparative questions like this develop analytical skills. They help students identify patterns, make connections, and understand distinctions between concepts or ideas.

We integrate this technique across multiple subjects.

For example, in English Language classes, students compare characters or texts, while in Social Studies, they explore similarities and differences between cultures or historical events. It promotes thoughtful analysis and a broader perspective.

Can You Imagine?

This questioning technique taps into creativity and abstract thinking. Asking students to imagine a scenario encourages them to visualise, hypothesise, and innovate.

Our teachers at UNIS Hanoi use “Can you imagine?” questions in design thinking projects, literature discussions, and environmental studies.

Whether they’re visualising life in space or imagining the outcome of a scientific experiment, students think outside the box with encouragement and support.

Is It Always, Sometimes, or Never True?

These questions challenge students to consider the scope and limitations of a statement. They evaluate generalisations and exceptions, promoting critical evaluation.

Our teachers use this technique effectively in subjects like Mathematics and Ethics.

Students might be asked whether a mathematical rule always holds true or if a moral principle applies in every situation. This cultivates flexible thinking.

Can You Convince Me?

Asking students to persuade the teacher or peers builds argumentation and reasoning skills. It also fosters respectful debate and dialogue.

We use this strategy in debates, persuasive writing exercises, and Science fair presentations.

At UNIS Hanoi, learners are encouraged to use evidence and logic to construct compelling arguments, enhancing oral and written communication.

What Do You Notice?

This open-ended question trains students to observe closely and express their observations. It is often used at the beginning of new topics to encourage inquiry.

Our teachers use “What do you notice?” in early years and primary classes, particularly in Maths or Art.

Whether observing a pattern in numbers or a detail in an artwork, students learn to pay attention and describe their insights clearly.

Are You Sure?

This question urges students to double-check their thinking. It builds self-reflection and encourages a growth mindset by normalising mistakes as part of learning.

UNIS Hanoi creates a safe space for students to reconsider their answers without fear.

In Science labs or during problem-solving tasks, asking “Are you sure?” leads to revisiting evidence and refining understanding.

Is There Another Way?

Encouraging students to explore multiple methods promotes creativity and flexibility. It shows there isn’t always just one right answer or one correct path.

Our educators use this question when solving problems in Maths or approaching design challenges.

At UNIS Hanoi, we value diverse thinking and support students in developing various strategies for success.

I Think I Understand What You Mean, Are You Saying?

This reflective question models active listening and helps clarify student responses. It shows that their ideas matter and encourages them to elaborate.

Teachers at UNIS Hanoi use this technique during discussions or conferences to deepen dialogue.

It also builds trust, as students feel heard and valued, and are more willing to engage in meaningful conversations.

Develop All-Rounded Children with UNIS Hanoi

Effective questioning in the classroom is a cornerstone of meaningful education. It supports intellectual development, fosters curiosity, and builds confidence in learners. At UNIS Hanoi, we employ various questioning strategies to challenge, inspire, and support every student.

By creating a culture of inquiry, we help our students become analytical thinkers and articulate communicators. Join us in shaping globally-minded, well-rounded learners. Apply to UNIS Hanoi today to give your child an exceptional, inquiry-based education.

Interdisciplinary learning connects subject areas to foster deeper understanding and real-world relevance. By engaging in integrated units and projects, our students enhance critical thinking, collaboration, and lifelong learning.

This article examines what interdisciplinary learning entails, its benefits, practical implementations, parental support strategies, and UNIS Hanoi’s distinctive approach.

What Is Interdisciplinary Learning?

Interdisciplinary learning is a collaboration of two or more disciplines to address a theme, problem, or question, enabling students to integrate and apply knowledge across subject boundaries.

MYP (Middle Years Programme) students demonstrate interdisciplinary understanding by explaining phenomena, solving problems, or designing and developing innovative products using concepts, procedures, and forms of communication from multiple subject groups.

This approach mirrors real-world practice, as professionals routinely draw on diverse fields to address complex issues. Interdisciplinary learning focuses on the relationships between disciplines and enables students to understand how their work connects with life beyond school.

Benefits of Interdisciplinary Learning

Interdisciplinary learning yields multiple educational advantages:

• Critical Thinking Skills: Viewing problems through different disciplinary lenses encourages students to evaluate information and alternative solutions, enhancing critical thinking skills.
• Holistic Understanding: Combining thinking from different subjects to attain a broad understanding of intricate issues, which prevents compartmentalised thinking and promotes deeper understanding.
• Real-world Relevance: Solving real-life issues in class helps learners acquire the knowledge needed for modern life and future employment.
• Collaboration and Communication: Working in diverse teams strengthens interpersonal skills, as students learn to articulate ideas clearly and negotiate differing perspectives.
• Academic Success: Connecting subjects supports memory retention and transfer of learning, often resulting in improved performance across core disciplines.
• Global Perspective: Addressing global themes, such as sustainability or social justice, encourages students to consider worldwide contexts and develop empathy for diverse cultures and viewpoints.
• Lifelong Learning: The skills cultivated through interdisciplinary learning, including curiosity, adaptability, and problem-solving, prepare students for ongoing personal and professional growth beyond school.

By offering these benefits, interdisciplinary learning equips students with the competencies and mindset essential for success in an increasingly complex, interconnected world.

How Schools Implement Interdisciplinary Learning

Bridging subject boundaries requires creative teaching and thoughtful design. At UNIS Hanoi, these strategies form an integral part of our MYP approach.

Project-Based Learning (PBL)

UNIS Hanoi MYP Project-Based Learning enables students to explore and address real-world issues on an extended timeline, forming strong connections between their learning and life beyond the classroom.

Through cycles of planning, execution, and evaluation, learners hone research skills, collaborative practices, and communication strategies.

At UNIS Hanoi, Phoenix’ Nest exemplifies PBL in practice. Here, students tackle sustainability projects, such as reducing single-use plastics and exploring renewable energy, by combining scientific investigation with environmental advocacy.

Besides, cultural exploration initiatives invite learners to craft exhibitions on Hanoi’s heritage, melding art, history, and language.

Theme-based Units

Theme-based Units structure the MYP curriculum around central ideas, such as identity, systems, or innovation, to encourage students to draw connections across subjects.

Each unit begins with a compelling inquiry question, followed by scaffolded activities.

For instance, UNIS Hanoi’s programme illustrates this through its English Language and Literature 7 course, which investigates dystopian narratives and their commentary on contemporary issues.

Students examine novels, films, and media, participate in writing workshops, and produce creative texts ranging from short stories to analytical essays.

STEM and Arts (STEAM)

Integrating STEM and Arts (often termed STEAM) encourages MYP students to apply scientific and mathematical principles alongside creativity and design thinking.

At UNIS Hanoi, the student-led UNISTEM club exemplifies STEM excellence, having developed an “Infection Simulator” game on the Roblox platform.

Organised into design, programming, marketing, finance, and robotics teams, the 35-member group secured an Impact Fund Grant to model pandemic scenarios, teaching players about epidemiology and vaccine development.

How Parents Can Support Interdisciplinary Learning

Parents play a vital role in reinforcing interdisciplinary learning at home. To support your child:

• Encourage Curiosity: Regularly discuss connections between school subjects. For example, explore how mathematical concepts underpin music rhythms or how history shapes scientific advancements.
• Support Projects with Resources: Provide access to books, documentaries, or museum visits that enrich school projects. Collaborate on project planning and offer constructive feedback to deepen understanding.
• Relate School Topics to Real Life: Demonstrate practical applications, for instance, use budgeting exercises to illustrate maths skills, or cook international recipes to discuss geography, culture, and science.

By engaging actively in these ways, parents reinforce the integrated learning experiences that UNIS Hanoi offers, ensuring that students make meaningful connections between their studies and the wider world.

How UNIS Hanoi Implements Interdisciplinary Learning

Our MYP programme is built around interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to connect knowledge across different subject areas and see the relevance of their studies in real-world contexts.

Key elements include:

• Subject Integration: Educators work together to create plans which interlace several units, concepts, and skills from various subjects, ensuring coherence and depth.
• Project-Based Learning: Students investigate complicated problems using a combination of disciplines through authentic, inquiry-based projects that reflect professional practice.
• Team Teaching and Planning: Regular collaborative planning sessions allow educators to align their lessons in broader themes which cross traditional subject boundaries for more unified learning.
• Flexible Grouping: Students work in diverse teams, promoting peer learning and exposing them to varied perspectives and strengths.
• Authentic Assessment: Students who complete exhibitions, develop portfolios, and perform interdisciplinary tasks showcase their learning and demonstrate understanding through authentic assessment.
• Professional Development: Through workshops and other instructional activities and meetings, educators learn new strategies needed to construct and teach interdisciplinary units.
• Reflection and Metacognition: Structured reflection activities encourage students to examine their thinking processes, helping them articulate how they integrate knowledge and develop skills.
• Community Partnerships: Collaborations with local organisations and experts provide real-world contexts for interdisciplinary projects, enriching learning and strengthening community ties.

UNIS Hanoi’s educational philosophy stresses learning as an interactive, integrated process – a hallmark of interdisciplinary education. Our MYP personal projects further promote autonomy, requiring students to design and complete an independent investigation that unites multiple subject areas and addresses genuine interests.

Embrace Interdisciplinary Learning with UNIS Hanoi

Interdisciplinary learning in our MYP ensures students develop the critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity needed for real-world success. At UNIS Hanoi, we integrate subject knowledge through thematic units, projects, and authentic assessments, preparing young learners for future challenges.

Discover how our holistic, inquiry-driven approach can empower your child’s growth – apply now to join the UNIS Hanoi community.

Active learning strategies transform classrooms by placing students at the centre of the learning process, inviting them to think, discuss, and create rather than passively receive information. Built on constructivist principles, it builds upon learners’ prior knowledge to foster deeper understanding and engagement.

At UNIS Hanoi, we embed these approaches across our International Baccalaureate programmes to develop critical thinkers and collaborative, reflective learners ready for real-world challenges.

What is Active Learning?

Active learning promotes students’ learning involvement through thinking, discussing, or creating during lessons instead of passively receiving information. It enables learners to be accountable for knowledge construction, nurture skills’ mastery, and understand things more deeply.

Active learning shifts away from traditional instruction by engaging students in problem-solving, discussion, and collaboration, making learning more interactive and student-centered.

Active listening focuses on integrating new concepts with experiences, helping learners build deeper, longer-lasting understanding.

At UNIS Hanoi, we incorporate inquiry-based learning along with project-based learning. Our approach enables students to reflect and actively engage with their learning in the context of the IB curriculum.

Benefits of Active Learning Strategies

Active learning strategies offer various advantages that extend beyond immediate academic performance. Directly involving students in their learning builds essential skills for success in and beyond the classroom.

Key benefits include:

• Boosted Retention: Active learning enhances memory by prompting learners to manipulate and apply information through discussion, analysis, and creation, rather than simply receiving it. Students internalise knowledge more effectively when they are involved in its construction.
• Critical Thinking: Engaging with real-world problems and open-ended questions stimulates analytical thinking. Debates, case studies, and problem-solving challenge students to evaluate information, consider alternatives, and justify conclusions.
• Collaboration: Group-based strategies like think-pair-share and learning circles encourage communication, cooperation, and respect for diverse viewpoints, developing interpersonal competencies crucial for team-based environments.
• Engagement: Interactive lessons hold students’ attention, reducing passivity and increasing motivation. Various formats, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, helps accommodate different learning styles.
• Lifelong Learning: Active learning builds students’ curiosity, inquiry, and self-direction. These skills empower students to take responsibility for their academic progress, preparing them for continual growth in an ever-changing world.

9 Active Learning Strategies to Engage Students

The following 9 strategies highlight how UNIS Hanoi promotes active learning through IB inquiry units, faculty development, and the integration of service learning.

1. Think-Pair-Share

Think-pair-share consists of three steps. First, every student reflects individually on a prompt. Then, they discuss their ideas with a partner. Finally, they present their insights to the whole class.

This scaffolded approach balances individual thinking with peer interaction, promoting confidence and deeper processing.

At UNIS Hanoi, our IB Programme teachers routinely employ think-pair-share within inquiry units. First, they ask a provocative question, then pair students to discuss before opening to class-wide discourse, thus supporting deeper engagement and formative assessment.

2. Case Studies

Case studies situate learners in authentic scenarios, requiring them to apply theory to practice, evaluate data, and formulate evidence-based solutions.

In the DP, Theory of Knowledge teachers present interdisciplinary cases, such as ethical dilemmas in biotechnology, prompting students to evaluate arguments, weigh consequences, and reflect on knowledge claims.

In the Diploma Programme, UNIS Hanoi applies case studies about global issues like sustainability challenges in the Theory of Knowledge and other subject-specific courses.

In this way, students can engage in interdisciplinary analysis and develop sophisticated argumentation skills.

Our collaborative assessment model encourages small groups to jointly research, debate, and co-author solutions, mirroring real‐world professional teams

3. Posters & Gallery Walk

Posters & Gallery Walk blends visual learning with peer feedback, as students produce graphics – posters, infographics, or concept maps – and display them around the room.

Classmates circulate, examining each display and annotating questions or commendations on sticky notes, fostering movement and dialogue.

At UNIS Hanoi, service-learning classes in Middle School design action-plan posters addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals.

During gallery walks, respondents highlight strengths and pose questions, enriching students’ reflection before project implementation.

4. Problem-Based Learning

Problem-based learning (PBL) situates students at the heart of complex, real-world problems, guiding them to identify learning needs, conduct research, and collaboratively propose solutions.

In our IB Programme, UNIS Hanoi students investigate local environmental concerns (such as water quality and plan experiments), gather data and present findings to the community, thereby blending scientific inquiry with civic engagement.

PBL at UNIS Hanoi emphasises the research cycle: question, investigate, create, reflect; developing content mastery and metacognitive skills.

5. Learning Circles and Communities

Learning circles involve small groups engaging in cyclical discussion, feedback, and reflection cycles to deepen understanding.

At UNIS Hanoi, our Professional Learning Communities empower faculty to co-create dynamic learning environments.

Through shared tools like gallery walks, debates, and interactive stations, teachers refine their practices using peer feedback and collective expertise.

6. Role-Play

Role-play facilitates the ability to incorporate students into differing perspectives. Children build empathy and strengthen problem-solving skills by taking on the roles of characters and stakeholders.

In subject classes, UNIS Hanoi students enact diplomatic negotiations, mock trials or intercultural dialogues, practising subject-specific vocabulary and negotiation techniques within authentic contexts.

This dynamic approach enhances linguistic fluency, intercultural awareness, and problem-solving skills, which are key IB Learner Profile attributes.

7. Debates and Discussions

Structured debates require learners to research positions, construct evidence-based arguments, and engage in formal rebuttals, honing critical analysis and public-speaking capabilities.

UNIS Hanoi’s MYP and DP students often participate in Model United Nations, debating global issues such as climate policy or human rights and reflecting on the real-world impact of their proposals.

8. Experiential Learning

Experiential Learning encompasses hands-on activities like laboratory experiments, simulations, and service projects, where students “learn by doing”. It enables students to link theoretical content to tangible activities and critically reflect on outcomes.

UNIS Hanoi’s Service Learning Programme partners learners with community organisations to co-design and deliver workshops, environmental clean-ups, or educational events.

After that, ongoing reflection transforms these actions into meaningful lessons in leadership and engagement.

9. Field Trips and Site Visits

Field Trips and Site Visits extend learning into authentic environments, museums, ecosystems, businesses, immersing students in real-world settings that spark curiosity and contextualise academic concepts.

UNIS Hanoi organises grade-level expeditions, such as visits to Cuc Phuong National Park for biodiversity studies or urban service projects for local NGOs.

During these field trips, students collect primary data, consult experts, and integrate observations into IB assessment tasks. These experiences reinforce global perspectives and connect classroom learning to professional practice.

Grow Your Child in an Active Learning Environment with UNIS Hanoi

At UNIS Hanoi, we cultivate an educational culture where inquiry, collaboration, and reflection drive every lesson. Our IB curriculum integrates active learning strategies – from project-based units to immersive service learning – empowering students to become critical thinkers, effective communicators and socially responsible global citizens.

Discover how your child can thrive in this dynamic, hands-on environment. Visit our admissions page to apply and join the UNIS Hanoi community: our next chapter of engaged, lifelong learning awaits!

The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test is an adaptive assessment designed to measure students’ academic achievement and growth over time. Developed by the Northwest Evaluation Association, MAP provides educators and families with detailed insights into a child’s strengths and areas for development.

In this guide, we explore what MAP testing is, its purposes, how to prepare, and how UNIS Hanoi uses MAP data to personalise education and foster each student’s success.

What is MAP Testing?

MAP Testing is a computer-adaptive assessment that evaluates achievement for individual learners in subjects such as reading, language usage, and mathematics for different grades.

MAP assessments are unlike fixed-designed tests as the questions change based on how the student responds to each question. As a result, they provide a reliable measurement of the student’s current proficiency.

As students answer correctly, the software selects more challenging items; incorrect responses lead to easier questions, allowing for precise mapping of academic growth.

Schools use MAP results to align instruction with global standards and to place pupils in appropriate learning pathways. Each MAP assessment covers three core domains: Reading, Language Usage, with Science included in select administrations.

Students typically complete MAP tests twice a year, with each session lasting approximately 45–60 minutes and untimed to minimise stress.

With a MAP testing score, educators and parents can track children’s academic strengths and learning gaps. This personalised insight is one of the core aims of MAP testing, as we will explore further below.

Purposes of MAP Testing

The main aim of MAP Testing is to provide educators, families, and learners with insightful data that drives instructional decisions and fosters academic growth.

By creating instructions around each student’s readiness level, MAP assessments facilitate targeted instruction and measurable growth.

Below are primary purposes of MAP testing:

• Personalised Learning Plans: MAP data identifies individual strengths and gaps, allowing teachers to tailor instruction to each learner’s needs.
• Goal Setting and Growth Tracking: RIT scores establish clear benchmarks for expected growth. Students and teachers set realistic goals and monitor progress over time.
• Immediate Feedback: Upon completion, adaptive testing yields instant performance reports, enabling prompt intervention and support where required.
• Parental Involvement: MAP detailed reports encourage meaningful family–school partnerships, as parents can celebrate successes and support areas requiring additional practice.

By integrating these functions, MAP testing helps create a responsive educational environment that empowers teachers, administrators, and parents to take actionable steps.

How Parents Can Support Their Children with MAP Testing

Parents play a vital role in ensuring that MAP assessments accurately reflect their child’s abilities and growth. Below are two key areas where parental support is particularly valuable.

Preparing for the Test Day

Good preparation begins well before assessment day. A calm, confident child is more likely to engage fully and perform to their potential.

To prepare your children for the test day, parents can:

• Ensure sufficient sleep. Younger children benefit from 10-11 hours of sleep per night, and teenagers from around 8.5 hours to support concentration and memory consolidation. Well-rested students can focus more effectively and better manage social challenges such as peer pressure in teenagers, which may otherwise affect their emotional readiness and academic engagement.
• Provide a nutritious breakfast. Serving oatmeal or yoghurt with fruit supplies steady energy and essential nutrients without a sugar crash, which has been shown to improve morning cognitive function.
• Encourage physical activity. A brief routine of stretching, a family walk, or playful exercise releases endorphins, reducing test-related stress and sharpening focus.
• Maintain a positive attitude. Emphasising effort, learning, and personal growth over scores cultivates a growth mindset, which research links to greater motivation and resilience in children.

Supporting Language, Reading, and Math Skills

Helping your child build their reading, writing, and maths abilities at home doesn’t have to be formal or difficult. Regular, low-pressure activities make learning enjoyable and reinforce key skills tested in MAP assessments.

Here are several ways that parents can support their children:

• Engage in daily reading: Reading for at least 15-20 minutes daily increases vocabulary and text comprehension, which improves literacy outcomes, especially when students read picture books or even articles for older students.
• Use math games to teach concepts: Conceptual maths like doubling and halving recipes become practical and fun when applied in the kitchen, promoting numerical reasoning through engaging hands-on activities.
• Encourage regular writing: Journals or friendly letters provide informal, stress-free outlets for children to organise thoughts and practise spelling and grammar, enhancing their written language skills.
• Play word games: Simple games like those offered by the British Council or homemade vocabulary quizzes immerse children in new terms and definitions, boosting word knowledge in a fun, low-stakes format.

By integrating these practices into family routines, parents create a low-stress, enriching environment that complements in-school learning and keeps pupils actively developing core competencies.

How UNIS Hanoi Integrates MAP Testing

At UNIS Hanoi, we view MAP Testing as an integral component of our student-centred pedagogical model.

Our school employs the MAP Screener, a concise form of the MAP Growth Assessment designed to quickly identify incoming pupils’ academic levels during the admissions process. This screener evaluates language, reading, and mathematics with sufficient precision to guide placement decisions and tailor initial learning plans.

Our educational philosophy emphasises individualised, skills-based learning where each learner’s progress informs subsequent instructional design.

By integrating MAP assessment data into our continuum of learning, we can track growth in discrete skills and pinpoint specific areas for targeted intervention. Teachers analyse RIT trajectories alongside IB framework benchmarks to align curriculum delivery with each student’s readiness and potential.

Furthermore, our collaborative Professional Learning Communities utilise MAP results to reflect on teaching strategies, evaluate programme efficacy, and share best practices across departments.

Regular MAP administrations throughout the year enable us to measure the impact of instructional adjustments in near real-time, ensuring our learners receive the support they need to thrive academically and personally.

We also actively involve families by sharing comprehensive MAP reports and discussing growth goals during parent-teacher conferences. This partnership fosters a shared understanding of student needs and reinforces our commitment to continuous improvement.

Through the strategic use of MAP assessments, UNIS Hanoi upholds our mission to cultivate curious, capable, and confident learners equipped for success in the IB Programme and beyond.

By joining us, your child benefits from a tailored education grounded in international standards. Apply now and become part of our dynamic, forward-thinking school community!

Raising well-rounded, emotionally healthy children requires more than academic instruction. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) fosters essential life skills such as empathy, emotional regulation, and responsible decision-making.

We will take a closer look at social emotional learning: what it means, why it matters, and how to support it in everyday school and family life. Let’s delve in!

What Is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is an educational framework designed to cultivate essential life skills in students.

It includes identifying emotions, self-regulation, empathy, the ability to set, plan, and achieve goals, demonstrating empathy, building healthy relationships, and making responsible choices.

SEL is integral to education, nurturing the whole child and ensuring they develop into well-rounded individuals.

At UNIS Hanoi, we view SEL as a cornerstone of personal growth, enabling students to thrive in diverse settings and laying the groundwork for their lifelong well-being and success.

5 Core Skills of Social Emotional Learning

At the heart of social emotional learning lie five interrelated competencies that scaffold students’ emotional and social growth.

Below, we introduce each and outline their significance:

• Self-awareness: Recognising one’s emotions, values, and strengths, and understanding how they influence thoughts and behaviours.
• Self-management: Effectively regulating emotions, thoughts, and behaviours in different situations and setting personal and academic goals.
• Social awareness: Empathising with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures, understanding social norms and recognising support available in the community.
• Relationship skills: Establishing and maintaining healthy and rewarding relationships through clear communication, active listening, and conflict resolution.
• Responsible decision-making: Making ethical, constructive choices about personal and social behaviour based on consideration of consequences and wellbeing of self and others.

These core skills work together to support academic success and positive mental health, enabling students to navigate complex social landscapes.

Benefits of Social Emotional Learning for Students

Implementing social emotional learning yields measurable benefits across academic, emotional, and social domains.

Students who develop social emotional learning competencies demonstrate:

• Academic Success: Enhanced engagement, improved test scores, and higher graduation rates, as emotional regulation enables focused learning.
• Improved Mental Health: Decreased anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and behavior problems through awareness and coping skills.
• Better Relationships: Improved peer relationships, increased overall peer acceptance, and reduced bullying because of empathic and relationship skills building.
• Future Readiness: Development of resilience, collaboration, and leadership qualities essential for higher education and career pathways.

By emphasising emotional literacy and interpersonal competence, social emotional learning cultivates a holistic growth trajectory, equipping students to thrive in and beyond the classroom.

How Schools Implement Social Emotional Learning

Effective social emotional learning implementation requires strategic school-wide initiatives, professional development, and curriculum integration. We introduce four key approaches employed at UNIS Hanoi and similar institutions.

Create a Supportive Environment

Schools establish caring climates where all members feel safe, respected, and valued. This involves clear behavioural expectations, restorative practices for conflict resolution, and dedicated spaces for mindfulness breaks.

At UNIS Hanoi, our pastoral care teams collaborate with teachers to ensure classrooms nurture emotional and academic growth.

Embrace Diversity

Recognising and celebrating students’ varied cultural, linguistic, and socio-emotional backgrounds deepens social awareness.

Through inclusive pedagogy, multicultural assemblies and heritage celebrations, we foster empathy and respect for difference – cornerstones of social emotional learning.

Make Space for Reflection

Regular reflection activities, such as journaling, class circle discussions, and guided mindfulness, to encourage students to process experiences, recognise emotional patterns, and set personal goals.

UNIS Hanoi’s IB units integrate reflective journals, allowing students to connect content with their own social and emotional development.

Share Teachers’ Experiences

Our educators model SEL competencies by sharing their own experiences and strategies for managing emotions and relationships. This transparency fosters trust and provides students with practical examples of social emotional learning in action.

By weaving SEL across school culture, curriculum and staff collaboration, institutions build systemic capacity to support students’ whole-child development.

How Parents Can Support Social Emotional Learning

Parents play a pivotal role in reinforcing social emotional learning at home. Age-appropriate activities strengthen the bridge between school and family, fostering consistent emotional growth. Below, we outline strategies for different developmental stages.

For Toddlers and Preschool Children

Early childhood is a formative period for emotional vocabulary and self-regulation.

Parents can support by:

• Parental Guidance: Model naming emotions (“I feel happy when we play this game”) and coach simple coping strategies (deep breaths).
• Mood Charts: Use visual charts with faces representing different feelings; encourage children to point to their mood throughout the day.
• Play: Engage in cooperative games and role-play scenarios, highlighting sharing, turn-taking, and empathy.

These playful, supportive interactions lay the groundwork for self-awareness and social awareness in later years.

For Elementary School Children

As children grow, they benefit from creative expression and structured mindfulness.

Parents can support by:

• Arts & Play: Facilitate art projects (drawing emotions, creating emotion-charades) and cooperative board games that require collaboration and rule-following.
• Mindfulness Activities: Introduce age-appropriate guided meditations or breathing exercises – five minutes after school can help children transition from academic to family time.

Such activities reinforce self-management and relationship skills in a relaxed, engaging context.

For Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers

Adolescents thrive with opportunities for introspection and autonomy.

Parents can support by:

• Journal Reflection: Encourage regular journaling prompts (for example, “Describe a time you showed kindness today”) to deepen self-awareness and responsible decision-making. Mindfulness Apps and Activities: Recommend reputable mindfulness or wellbeing apps tailored for teens, and practice guided sessions together once weekly.
• Art & Performance: Support participation in drama, music or visual arts, where expressing emotions and collaborating on projects builds social awareness and relationship skills.

By alternating structured reflection with creative and technological tools, parents help older students integrate social emotional learning into their emerging identities and broader life choices.

How UNIS Hanoi Prioritises Social Emotional Learning

At UNIS Hanoi, social emotional learning is central to our whole child approach to education, seamlessly woven into our IB PYP, MYP, and DP frameworks.

We deliver dedicated social emotional learning lessons – aligned with the five core competencies – while integrating emotional and social learning objectives within academic units.

For example, PYP inquiry projects include explicit SEL goals, such as collaborative problem solving or empathy-building activities.

Our Student Support Services further underpin social emotional learning through a tiered Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. Dedicated counsellors and educational psychologists work alongside teachers to identify students requiring targeted interventions.

Tier 1 services embed universal SEL strategies into every classroom; Tier 2 offers small-group skill-building workshops; Tier 3 provides individual counselling and parent-teacher-student planning.

This holistic model ensures every learner receives the appropriate level of emotional support, fostering resilience and wellbeing across our community.

Furthermore, professional development for our faculty includes ongoing SEL training, reflective practice sessions and access to global best-practice networks.

Through collaboration with IB workshop leaders and external SEL experts, we ensure our approach remains dynamic and evidence-based.

By embedding social emotional learning across curriculum, culture, and student services, UNIS Hanoi cultivates emotionally intelligent, socially responsible, and academically motivated learners.

Foster Social Emotional Learning with UNIS Hanoi

Social Emotional Learning supports every student’s ability to connect, reflect, and thrive. As parents, choosing an environment that actively nurtures these skills is one of the most important decisions you can make.

At UNIS Hanoi, social emotional learning is part of our culture, curriculum, and community. We are committed to helping every child grow with purpose and empathy.

Apply today to join UNIS Hanoi, where your child’s full potential is our shared goal!

Summer learning loss, often termed the summer slide, significantly challenges students’ academic progress during extended breaks. Research indicates that students can lose critical skills, particularly in mathematics and reading, without structured engagement.

This guide provides parents with evidence-based strategies to mitigate loss, ensuring children maintain academic proficiency and are prepared for the forthcoming school year.

What is Summer Learning Loss?

Summer learning loss is the regression in academic skills and knowledge students experience during the summer break, when formal education is typically paused.

Research indicates that students can lose between one to 3 months of learning, with more pronounced declines in mathematics than reading.

On average, students’ achievement scores decline by approximately one month’s worth of school-year learning, with losses in mathematics ranging from 25–30% of the previous year’s gains. This regression is not uniform across all students or subjects as it varies by grade level, subject, and socioeconomic status.

The learning loss cumulatively has a pronounced impact, particularly on students with different socioeconomic backgrounds. Protecting students from setbacks and ensuring uninterrupted academic progress during school breaks requires summer learning initiatives.

Impact of Summer Learning Loss

Undermining students’ academic progress, summer learning loss during summer breaks significantly impacts their long-term educational outcomes.

• Lower School Performance: The skill setbacks experienced in math and reading during the breaks affect school’s performance directly . This setback disrupts the continuity of learning and hinders progression in subsequent academic years.
• Setbacks for Low-income Students: Students from low-income backgrounds face greater setbacks due to limited access to educational resources, enrichment programmes, or parental support. Middle-class students often maintain or improve reading skills, while lower-income students experience declines, contributing to a growing divide.
• Long-term Disparity: Lower academic performance can diminish students’ confidence and engagement, perpetuating cycles of underachievement. The cumulative effect of summer setbacks can result in students lagging behind their peers by up to two years by middle school.

6 Strategies to Prevent Summer Learning Loss

Preventing summer learning loss requires deliberate, engaging, and accessible strategies to maintain academic skills. Below are 6 evidence-based approaches for parents to implement.

1. Summer Programs

Research indicates that students participating in organised academic programmes during summer are less likely to experience skill regression.

High-quality summer programmes offer structured, curriculum-aligned instruction that sustains academic skills and enriches student engagement.

Programmes with a clear focus, such as improving mathematics fluency or enhancing reading comprehension, demonstrate the strongest outcomes, according to recent evaluations.

To maximise impact, parents can look for summer initiatives that offer small class sizes, targeted learning goals, and regular progress monitoring using reliable assessments.

2. Math Skills Practice

Dedicated, purposeful practice in mathematics is one of the most effective ways to prevent regression.

Parents can harness adaptive online platforms that personalise problem sets to each child’s proficiency level and provide instant feedback.

Additionally, parents can have children help in cooking by measuring out ingredients, which helps practice mathematics, calculating expenses during shopping.

Regular practice, even for 15–30 minutes daily, ensures retention of critical skills and facilitates a smoother transition into the new school year.

3. Daily Reading

Daily reading is a cornerstone of preventing learning loss, particularly for literacy skills. Students can lose up to two months of reading proficiency without regular practice.

Parents can encourage reading by setting a daily 20-minute goal and letting children choose engaging materials like novels, magazines, or comics.

Consistent reading enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking, reducing the risk of regression. Research states that students who read regularly during the summer outperformed their peers on reading assessments after the break.

4. Educational Games

Educational games offer an engaging method to reinforce academic skills while maintaining children’s interest.

Without feeling like they are studying, children can build skills in problem solving, language, and mathematics into games, which boosts cognitive development.

Research indicates that game-based activities can help students retain up to 80 percent of their academic gains over the summer, especially when gameplay involves collaborative family participation.

Board games or card games that involve strategy and calculation also promote mathematical reasoning.

Digital educational apps, designed to gamify learning, also promote critical thinking and skill retention, making learning enjoyable and effective.

5. Online Tutoring

Personalised online tutoring offers tailored support and motivation to meet each child’s unique needs.

Tutoring platforms offer one-on-one or small group video calls that use interactive whiteboards to present lessons.

Families can arrange sessions as frequently as twice weekly, depending on budget and need.

To maximise value, parents can set clear goals with tutors, such as mastering long division or improving paragraph structure) and review progress against these objectives.

6. Nature Projects

Hands-on, project-based learning in outdoor settings integrates multiple disciplines and nurtures curiosity.

Activities like monitoring plant growth or analysing water quality link science, mathematics, and literacy through practical exploration. These nature-based projects also foster analytical thinking and environmental awareness.

Parents can guide children to record observations in a nature journal, encouraging descriptive writing and data-collection skills: note temperature changes, sketch leaf shapes, or graph the number of species spotted each week.

Engaging with local parks or community gardens also supports social-emotional development and physical health, reducing summer learning’s “opportunity cost” by blending academic goals with personal growth.

How UNIS Hanoi Addresses Summer Learning

UNIS Hanoi offers a robust solution to summer learning loss through our annual Summer Programme from June to July.

Designed for students across various age groups, the programme provides curriculum-aligned learning and enrichment activities to maintain academic skills and prevent the summer slide. It integrates core subjects like mathematics and reading with hands-on projects, fostering academic retention and creativity.

Indeed, we tailor activities to students’ developmental needs, ensuring engagement and progress.

The programme’s structured yet dynamic approach includes academic workshops, STEM projects, aquatic games, nature discovery, and cultural exploration, promoting intellectual curiosity and skill reinforcement.

By aligning activities with the school’s rigorous curriculum, UNIS Hanoi ensures continuity of learning and prepares students for the upcoming academic year.

The programme also supports social-emotional development, creating a holistic learning environment.

Parents seeking to safeguard their children’s academic progress are encouraged to explore UNIS Hanoi’s Summer Programme. Applications are open, and interested families can apply through the UNIS Hanoi admissions portal to secure a place in this transformative learning experience.

Apply now to secure a place in UNIS Hanoi’s transformative Summer Programme and invest in your child’s continuous learning journey!

Many parents are often faced choosing between differing curricula. Selecting the right road to go down can often cause parents many sleepless nights. Choosing between the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is often a quandary that parents find themselves in, when wanting the best educational model for their children.

In this article, we will highlight key comparisons of the IGCSE and IB curricula to assist parents in making an informed choice. The comparison will include curricula, advantages, flexibility, and suitability in achieving students’ goals.

What is the IB Programme?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme offers a framework with international recognition to foster creativity, critical thinking, and a global perspective. It has 4 programmes that cater to different ages, enabling students to go beyond their textbooks.

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is for children aged 3 to 12 year olds (Early Years 3 to Grade 5) and fosters inquiry-based learning by integrating skills like language, mathematics, science, and the arts into themed units that create a strong foundation.

The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is for children aged 11 to 16 year olds (Grade 6 to Grade 10). Its interdisciplinary curriculum fosters critical thinking and global citizenship through subjects like science, mathematics, and design.

The Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year, intensive course for students aged 16 to 19 year olds (Grade 11 & 12). It prepares them for university and features core components like Theory of Knowledge (TOK), an Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). Additionally, there are six subject groups, such as the sciences and the arts.

Finally, the Career-related Programme (CP) combines academic study with practical business or discipline knowledge, such as engineering. It prepares students for specific careers by focusing on relevant practical skills.

Currently, UNIS Hanoi offers three IB programmes, including PYP, MYP, and DP, which develop inquiry and research skills for students from early years to grade 12. These programmes foster critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and a lifelong love of learning.

The comprehensive IB syllabus focuses on self-independence and multicultural awareness, ensuring holistic coverage to adapt to students’ needs. Students can persevere in new environments by prioritising a creative edge and a global perspective. This is why IB is popular among parents who want their children to receive a qualified education.

What is the IGCSE Board?

Established in 1988, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) has built a global reputation as a qualification for 14 to 16 year olds. It prepares students for paths like A-Levels, emphasising academic focus and flexibility.

The IGCSE is a globally recognised qualification typically taken by students aged 14 to 16 (Year 10 & 11), over a two-year period. Designed to prepare students for further academic study, such as the IB Diploma or A-Levels, the IGCSE offers a broad and balanced curriculum across a range of subjects, with a strong emphasis on both academic rigour and practical application. T .

The IGCSE offers choices to match students’ goals. Core classes build skills in Science and Communication, while extras like Geography, Languages, or Technology allow children to focus on what interests them.

For parents, the IGCSE promotes a clear framework focusing on subjects with systematic, exam-based learning. It is beneficial for students who thrive in clear, subject-specific frameworks.

Key Differences Between IB vs IGCSE Boards

Choosing between IB and IGCSE means understanding how they work differently. Each system suits distinct learning styles and shapes curriculum, assessment, and future opportunities.

Aspect	IB	IGCSE
Education Level	• PYP (3-12 years) • MYP (11-16 years) • DP/CP (16-19 years)	• 2 year Programme (14-16 years)
Curriculum Structure	Wide-ranging, connects subjects with core components (TOK, EE, CAS)	Focused on specific subjects, split into Core and Extended levels
Subject Focus	Holistic development, inquiry-driven learning	In-depth knowledge, subject-specific focus
Breadth & Specialisation	Broad, six subject groups plus core components	Narrower, based on subjects students choose
Assessment Methods	Projects, essays, examinations	Primarily examinations, limited coursework/practical assessments
Grading System	1-7 scale (DP)	A*-G scale
Global Recognition	Recognised by leading universities worldwide	Widely accepted over 150 countries, including USA, UK, Canada, Australia.

The IB promotes cross-disciplinary integration of subjects and diverse global perspectives, which is ideal for students who thrive in open, flexible settings.

In contrast, the IGCSE offers a clear pathway with scope for early specialisation, ideal for students with well-defined academic interests.

How to Decide between IB vs IGCSE?

The decision between IB vs IGCSE depends on your child’s learning style and long-term goals.

The IB is an excellent choice for parents seeking a wide-ranging education that prepares children for university.

Covering ages 3 to 19, it builds critical thinking and global views through components like the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service. Its flexible environment encourages skill development alongside academics. It suits students who thrive in dynamic, interconnected settings and aim for university.

In contrast, the IGCSE, covering ages 14 to 16, emphasises academic success and exam readiness, perfect for students who focus best on a few subjects. Compared to IB, the IGCSE structure has an exam-oriented approach, particularly for progression to A-Levels or similar qualifications.

Both curricula prepare students for further study, but IGCSE prefers learning acquired knowledge at a more advanced level, while IB focuses on holistic student development. Parents should consider whether their child performs better with freedom to explore or a clear academic track.

At UNIS Hanoi, we deliver a comprehensive IB programme that prepares well-rounded students for future demands. This mission distinguishes our approach in the IB vs IGCSE comparison.

As a three-programme IB World School, we deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP) to ignite young minds, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) to build sharp analytical skills, and the Diploma Programme (DP) to equip students for university with rigorous academics and real-world involvement.

Our curriculum weaves in the United Nations’ values, nurturing students who think globally and act purposefully. We guide them to link classroom lessons to real-world problems, building skills in communication, teamwork, and independent research.

Our students learn to go beyond the boundaries, apply practical knowledge in solving problems, and interact with people from different cultures, setting them up to succeed globally.

By fostering independent thinking and diverse competencies, we prepare students to excel globally, making UNIS Hanoi a leader in IB education.

Promote Holistic Development with UNIS Hanoi

Deciding between IB and IGCSE depends on what your child needs most. The IB offers a wide-ranging, question-driven education that builds creativity and global insight, while the IGCSE delivers a focused, exam-based path to academic success. At UNIS Hanoi, our IB programme shapes students for global achievement.

Join our vibrant community and apply for the 2025 – 2026 admissions at UNIS Hanoi. Contact our Admissions Office at admissions@unishanoi.org for personalised assistance and to secure your child’s educational future!

A positive learning environment requires deliberate effort to cultivate an atmosphere where learners feel safe, supported, and motivated. This article explores 8 effective strategies to establish an engaging environment, drawing on educational principles and practical examples.

It also highlights the significance of creating a nurturing space for children’s academic and personal development, with insights from the United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi).

Importance of a Positive Learning Environment

A positive learning environment enhances academic achievement, encourages peer support for students with disabilities, and fosters constructive interactions among students, teachers, and parents.

Positive environments create a healthy balance between mental health and academic goals, fostering autonomy and responsibility in students’ learning. This self-directed approach sets a strong foundation for the school year and promotes overall development.

In contrast, students struggling to adapt to a learning environment may feel frustrated, show behavioural issues, and disengage with their school community. This issue may decrease parental engagement while increasing teacher stress, contributing to burnout. Stress can physiologically affect students’ ability to learn.

By fostering positivity, we can address such issues and create an environment where students feel appreciated, secure, valued, motivated, and eager to learn.

8 Ways to Create a Positive Learning Environment

Fostering a positive learning environment demands a blend of structure, empathy, and engagement. Below, we outline 8 strategies for promoting positivity and supportive engagement in your students’ learning experience.

1. Get to Know & Address Student Needs

Understand your students’ unique traits—such as their interests, cultural background, and learning preferences—to support their education. Teachers can achieve this through conversations, journal prompts, or attending extracurricular activities.

Addressing psychological needs like security, belonging, and competence reduces disruptions and enhances engagement. Asking students what a positive environment means, perhaps a calming reflection corner, further tailors support.

UNIS Hanoi prioritises understanding each student individually. Fostering personal growth and nurturing curiosity is a cornerstone of our IB curriculum, supplemented by our diverse Student Support Services, including counsellors and learning specialists for tailored support.

Through class meetings and a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), we attend to a child’s physical, social, and emotional needs to ensure their voice is heard, creating a positive learning environment. Our collaborative approach ensures children thrive, reflecting the school’s commitment to nurturing responsible global citizens.

2. Organise the Physical Environment

A well-structured classroom reduces stress and enhances comfort, aiding concentration. Assigning seats, establishing clear routines for handing in work, and ensuring the board’s visibility provide order.

The aesthetic also matters – soft lighting, personal touches, and positive posters can reflect a welcoming tone, helping students feel at ease and connected to their surroundings.

UNIS Hanoi exemplifies this through our thoughtfully designed campus. Among the upgrades to our Elementary School classroom are the installation of modern lighting and furniture and the student-friendly, flexible acoustic panelling that transforms the classroom into a stimulating environment.

The enhancements to our playground provide shaded areas for safer play, demonstrating our commitment as a school to a supportive physical learning and wellness environment, and reflecting our holistic approach to education.

3. Encourage Teamwork & Collaboration

Collaboration boosts engagement and teaches valuable social skills. Set clear expectations for group tasks, explaining their purpose, and form groups based on varied abilities or interests to ensure all contribute. Depending on the complexity of a task, smaller groups (3-4) encourage interaction, while larger groups (5-6) bring different perspectives.

Teamwork and collaboration are inherent in our IB Learner Profiles at UNIS Hanoi. Our curriculum drives community sense through interactive projects that tackle real-world issues, integrating classroom work with real-world problems.

Balancing group dynamics, we help students strengthen their critical thinking and interpersonal skills, reshaping their educational experience. Parents can also support this by discussing teamwork’s value with their children, aligning with UNIS Hanoi’s focus on responsible citizenship and real-world connections.

4. Involve Students in Class Decisions

Empowering students to share opinions builds confidence and strengthens their connection to learning. Offer choices in approaching tasks, encouraging them to take risks and voice ideas. This student-centred approach fosters ownership, increasing effort and participation in class activities.

As part of the IB program at UNIS Hanoi, student-centred learning fosters active participation and allows children to share their thoughts and opinions on their educational experience. We incorporate this method into the school’s discussions, hands-on activities, and other teaching methods that appeal to different learning styles.

Meanwhile, our commitment to partnerships with parents ensures student input shapes their education. This approach demonstrates our school’s vision of fostering students as “Thinkers” and “Inquirers,” who take initiative and meaningfully engage with their surroundings.

5. Prioritise Social Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning (SEL) actively prepares learners to manage emotions and other problems, strengthening mental health. Using SEL methods – through discussions or dedicated activities – encourages children to cultivate resilience and empathy for their well-being and academic success.

UNIS Hanoi’s Student Support Services, including counsellors and psychologists, prioritise SEL within a holistic approach. The MTSS framework offers tiered support, addressing emotional needs alongside academics.

Parents can reinforce this by discussing feelings at home. This complements UNIS Hanoi’s mission to develop “Balanced” and “Reflective” learners who thrive emotionally and socially, preparing them for lifelong success.

6. Give Personalised Feedback on Assignments

Tailored feedback demonstrates care and motivates students by highlighting strengths and areas for growth.

Beyond marking errors, a personal note addressing the student by name – e.g., “Dear Sophie, your creativity shines here. Consider refining this section…” – encourages them to reflect on and apply your guidance.

UNIS Hanoi integrates this practice within our IB curriculum, which stresses individualised learning processes. Teachers provide detailed, constructive feedback, supported by our MTSS framework’s data-driven approach, ensuring progress is tracked and celebrated.

Moreover, parents can ask for feedback during conferences, supporting UNIS Hanoi’s partnership approach, which helps children internalise guidance and excel academically.

7. Be Open to Students’ Feedback

Inviting students to share thoughts on teaching methods or classroom management offers valuable insights and builds trust. Acknowledging mistakes – such as a simple error on the board – and discussing them openly models a growth mindset, showing that learning from setbacks is valuable.

At UNIS Hanoi, we embrace openness as part of our IB principle of reflection. Regular communication with students and parents through conferences and workshops ensures their perspectives shape our practices.

This vulnerability strengthens our community, reinforcing a culture where growth and mutual respect thrive. Parents can encourage children to voice opinions and ask about their school experiences, ensuring their voice informs ongoing improvements.

8. Foster Positivity Through Curriculum and Teaching Methods

A relevant curriculum keeps students engaged by linking lessons to their lives. Adapting teaching strategies to reflect their cultural and personal contexts makes learning meaningful, sustaining their emotional investment throughout the year.

UNIS Hanoi’s IB curriculum connects classroom experiences to global realities, integrating Vietnamese culture and media literacy to enrich learning. Our interactive, interdisciplinary approach – supported by co-curricular activities – ensures positivity permeates education.

By respecting our diverse community, we create a dynamic environment where students feel inspired and valued. Parents can discuss these connections at home, enhancing UNIS Hanoi’s aim to make learning meaningful and prepare children to contribute positively to the world.

Nurture Your Child in a Positive Learning Environment at UNIS Hanoi

Fostering a positive learning environment is vital for your child’s academic success and personal growth. We embed these principles within our IB curriculum and supportive framework at UNIS Hanoi to ensure student success.

We invite you to join our community by applying for the 2025-2026 academic year. Visit our online application portal or contact admissions@unishanoi.org for personalised guidance. Together, we grow your child in a nurturing, world-class setting!

Digital citizenship involves using digital tools responsibly, ethically, and safely to foster positive online communities.

Teaching digital citizenship in classrooms equips students with skills to navigate the internet respectfully and securely. This article explores its meaning, importance, components, and integration into educational settings to prepare students for a digital future.

What Is Digital Citizenship in Education?

Digital citizenship in education is the responsible and ethical use of digital technologies. It involves using online tools and platforms safely, respectfully, and with integrity.

For parents, directing children toward safe and constructive online behavior is a priority. It involves teaching them digital rights and responsibilities while fostering empathy and caution.

Why Is Digital Citizenship Important?

Digital citizenship raises awareness about cybersecurity, helping students understand the risks of sharing personal information. It also promotes respect, reducing cyberbullying and discrimination, and encourages ethical behaviour aligned with personal values.

For students, it ensures safety by minimising online risks, fosters integrity in academic work, and prepares them for digital-driven higher education and careers. Moreover, it empowers them to participate responsibly in online societal discussions.

By developing critical thinking and media literacy, digital citizenship enables students to discern credible information, equipping them to navigate the complexities of the digital world confidently.

Components of Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship comprises several elements that help students navigate the digital world responsibly. These components are essential for parents to understand as they support their children’s online experiences.

1. Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is the foundation of being a capable digital citizen. It involves using technology, such as computers, tablets, and smartphones, to find, create, and share information.

For students, this means learning to browse websites, send emails, conduct research, or even create digital projects like presentations or videos.

By mastering these skills, students can confidently engage with digital tools, understand technology’s role in society, and use it to enhance their learning safely and productively.

2. Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity involves safeguarding personal information and devices from hacking, phishing, and malware. Students learn to create strong passwords, update software regularly, and avoid sharing sensitive details.

Understanding their digital footprint—data created through social media or online activities—helps them control how their information is used, reduce risks of fraud, and ensure their safety in digital spaces.

3. Online Etiquette

Cybersecurity focuses on protecting personal information and devices from online threats, hacking, viruses, and scams, such as phishing.

Parents can teach children to create strong passwords, keep software updated, and avoid sharing sensitive details online. Every click, post, or photo shared creates a digital footprint – a record of their online activity.

Understanding how to safeguard this information helps students prevent issues like identity theft or fraud. Children gain control over their data by adopting simple security habits and learning to stay safe in digital spaces.

4. Digital Rights and Responsibilities

Digital citizenship includes understanding and respecting online laws and rules, such as privacy rights, freedom of speech, and copyright protections. Students are encouraged to honour others’ privacy, cite sources accurately, and follow copyright guidelines.

For example, sharing someone else’s photo without permission or spreading false information can have consequences.

By balancing their rights – like expressing opinions – with responsibilities, such as avoiding harmful speech, they contribute to a fair and equitable digital society.

5. Digital Content Evaluation

Evaluating digital content teaches students to think critically about what they see online.

With so much information available, children must distinguish between trustworthy and misleading sources. This practice involves checking who created the content, looking for evidence, and recognising biases.

By developing these skills, students learn to make informed decisions, avoid misinformation, and use reliable information for schoolwork or personal growth.

How We Teach Digital Citizenship in Classrooms

Teaching digital citizenship effectively prepares students to thrive in digital environments. Parents can support these efforts by understanding classroom strategies for instilling responsible online behaviour.

• Promote awareness of digital citizenship: We introduce clear policies defining digital citizenship, helping students understand its importance. Our discussions and resources highlight how to engage safely online.
• Model good online behaviour: Our educators demonstrate ethical practices, such as citing sources correctly in digital presentations or respecting data privacy when using online tools. These examples guide students to adopt similar habits in their online interactions.
• Teach digital skills directly and indirectly: Our lessons incorporate digital citizenship through real-world activities. For instance, teachers encourage students to stay relevant and respectful during online discussions. We praise positive actions, reinforcing good habits in authentic digital settings.
• Set and enforce high digital expectations: Rather than rigid rules, UNIS Hanoi focuses on transferable skills, like critical thinking and collaboration. Our clear standards encourage students to take responsibility for their online conduct across platforms.
• Foster a supportive digital culture: Classrooms create environments where respect and responsibility are taught explicitly. Tools like charts help students define what digital citizenship looks, sounds, or feels like. Role-playing scenarios allow them to practise responding to online situations, building confidence and self esteem.

At UNIS Hanoi, we define “what is digital citizenship?” as the ethical use of technology to support students’ well-being and learning. We integrate technology across all subjects, aligning with global standards to equip students with essential digital skills. Our flexible approach encourages collaboration between educators and technology coordinators to embed digital citizenship meaningfully into lessons.

Every student from Grade 2 upwards receives a device – iPads, Chromebooks, or MacBooks – tailored to their needs, while high school students participate in our Bring Your Own Device programme. We ensure safety through Sophos antivirus software and network filtering, protecting students both on and off campus.

All students sign our Responsible Use Agreement, which further reinforces digital citizenship. We prioritise a safe, supportive community, addressing issues like bullying seriously and encouraging students to report concerns.

Additionally, we promote respect for intellectual property by teaching copyright guidelines and encouraging the use of Creative Commons resources, empowering students to be responsible digital citizens.

Foster Digital Citizenship with UNIS Hanoi

Understanding “what is digital citizenship?” prepares students to navigate the digital world responsibly, safely, and ethically. We integrate these principles into our classrooms at UNIS Hanoi to empower students as thoughtful digital citizens.

We invite parents to join our community and support their children’s growth in this vital area. Contact our Admissions Office at admissions@unishanoi.org to apply for the 2025-2026 academic year and discover our supportive environment!

Service learning is a transformative educational approach that combines academics and community work. It helps students think critically while applying knowledge to resolve society’s problems.

In this article, we explore “what is service learning?”, its benefits, and practical project ideas, demonstrating how it can be implemented effectively to nurture engaged and responsible students.

What Is Service Learning?

As a teaching strategy, Service Learning brings the real world into the classroom through community service initiatives. Students can comprehend fully by using their academic knowledge and skills to resolve some social problems.

For instance, students might tutor younger children, set up environmental clean-up days, or advocate for policy changes. All these activities can be categorised into three groups: direct service, such as helping out at a nursing home; indirect service, like fundraising for a cause; or advocacy, for example, raising awareness about environmental issues.

Participating in different forms of service teaches students to appreciate various ways and actively participate in their communities while learning important concepts in class.

The objectives of service learning include fostering critical thinking, where students analyse complex issues with multiple solutions. It also promotes effective written and oral communication and encourages collaboration across diverse groups.

Furthermore, it instils a sense of responsibility and citizenship, empowering students to address social challenges thoughtfully.

In this instance, your child enhances their understanding of school subjects by putting them into practice.

Benefits of Service Learning Projects

Service learning projects enrich students’ educational experiences by connecting academic knowledge to real-world applications.

• Personal Growth: Students become more self-assured when they begin to view themselves as active participants in bringing change to society.
• Social Skills: Engaging with diverse groups increases understanding of collaboration, empathy, and even age relations, which equips students for collaborative environments.
• Critical Thinking: Applying knowledge to solve real problems sharpens analytical skills and deepens understanding of academic subjects.
• Civic Responsibility: Students develop a commitment to addressing societal issues, fostering lifelong habits of active citizenship.
• Career Readiness: Hands-on experiences build practical skills, making students more competitive in the job market by demonstrating their ability to apply knowledge effectively.

Service Learning Project Ideas to Inspire Students

Service learning projects provide students unique opportunities to develop skills for personal growth while enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Below, we outline various theme-based project ideas, all connected to initiatives at UNIS Hanoi, where we strive to develop socially responsible leaders through our robust Service Learning Programme.

Health and Wellness Focus

This focus encourages students to promote physical and mental well-being in their communities. Projects might include creating campaigns on healthy lifestyles or supporting vulnerable groups like the elderly.

At UNIS Hanoi, our Heartbeat Vietnam: Operation Healthy Heart initiative partners with the VinaCapital Foundation to support children with congenital heart defects. Students organise fundraising events and raise awareness about public health, directly impacting families in need.

Literacy Focus

Literacy projects aim to enhance reading and communication skills across communities. Students might create multilingual resources or tutor younger learners.

Our Helping Hands Sapa Projects at UNIS Hanoi support H’mong primary schools in Vietnam’s Lao Cai Province.

By providing educational resources and teaching support, we help improve literacy among economically vulnerable children, fostering inclusivity and access to education.

Sports Focus

Sports-focused projects use physical activity to build community and support causes. Students might organise tournaments or fun runs to raise funds.

At UNIS Hanoi, our KOTO and Blue Dragon Sports programme engages students in planning sports sessions for underprivileged youth, such as soccer and volleyball.

These activities, including events like the UNIS KOTO Cafe at our Spring Fair, promote leadership and teamwork.

Environmental Focus

Environmental projects address sustainability and conservation challenges. Students might plant trees or test water quality to raise awareness. Our UNIS Global Issues Network and Sustainability Group encourages students to tackle issues like recycling and sustainability for kids.

Additionally, our High School Community Garden and Tree-Planting Group allows students to grow organic plants and connects them with local organisations to promote responsible consumption.

Animal Focus

Animal-focused projects advocate for the welfare of pets and wildlife. Students might create educational materials or build sanctuaries.

At UNIS Hanoi, our Hanoi Pet Rescue group, initiated by a student’s passion for animal rights, raises awareness and funds to support neglected animals. Through advocacy and shelter visits, we inspire students to champion the ethical treatment of animals.

Art Focus

Art projects use creativity to address social issues or support communities. Students might host auctions or workshops to raise funds.

Our Bamboo Music & Arts Service Group at UNIS Hanoi organises music and filmmaking workshops for partners like KOTO and Blue Dragon.

These initiatives allow students to use their artistic talents to foster community connections and support meaningful causes.

Technology Focus

Technology projects leverage digital tools to solve community problems. Students might develop websites or advocacy campaigns online. At UNIS Hanoi, our Tech for All & STEAM Group engages students in designing technology-based workshops for local schools.

We focus on preparing students for real-world challenges by blending science, engineering, and the arts with other disciplines to encourage creative problem-solving.

Community Service Focus

Community service projects address local needs through direct action or advocacy. Students might conduct surveys or organise donation drives.

Our Habitat for Humanity initiative at UNIS Hanoi involves students in fundraising and house-building for vulnerable families.

Similarly, our Micro-Finance for Change programme with Bloom Microventures enables students to make a difference by providing microloans to aspiring entrepreneurs, supporting economic resilience.

These projects demonstrate our commitment to developing integrated service learning experiences within our curriculum and co-curricular activities. Students engage with various causes such as educational support for the H’mong communities or animal welfare and in the process, learn “what is service learning?”, witnessing the impact of their efforts.

In the process, they gain valuable leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills – essential traits for future global citizens.

Nurture Future Leaders with UNIS Hanoi!

Service learning is a transformative approach that equips students with the skills and values to address societal challenges thoughtfully. At UNIS Hanoi, we integrate what is service learning into our programmes to help students think deeply, feel, and act with social responsibility. Through meaningful projects, we guide our students to become leaders ready to change the world. Our UNIS Hanoi guide to Service Learning can be found here.

We invite you to join our vibrant community. The online application for the 2025-2026 academic year is open, and spaces are limited. Contact our Admissions Office at admissions@unishanoi.org for personalised guidance. Let us support your family in discovering the power of service learning at UNIS Hanoi!