Learning from other countries: what education idea would you bring back to the UK?

What can we learn from teaching styles and approaches in other countries?

Emma Drury

Discussion

with teachers around the world to know what they have to share tips

David Green, director of science, Bhutan

The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is perhaps best known for two things - the philosophy of Gross National Happiness in the last enclave of Tibetan Buddhism. When I arrived here, I was

fascinated to see how these two values ??are filtered cultural aspects in education.

Public Speaking

is greatly appreciated. Students make speeches in assemblies with themes that reflect the values ??of the FIB, with titles such as "Why do we keep our forests", "compassion -. The most important quality "

mindfulness exercises are performed throughout the day, starting with five minutes of silent reflection in the assembly. Each class begins with a few minutes of the opportunity for the teacher to guide the training of the mind. Classes settle and dissipate the mental noise of the previous lesson. When you teach the water cycle, we become stone in a river, feeling the water pass through, the next in the ocean, the sky, the rain and the river. A brilliant entry.

may seem hard to imagine that in the UK, but the children here to enjoy and feel the benefits. It can be fun. I met a teacher who practice mindful eating chocolate, children must keep chocolate in the mouth and focus on it for 15 minutes

Brett Hetherington, high school teacher in Catalonia, Spain

If I could point to an idea that would bring the UK from abroad, is that the discourse of the company that terrible word "innovation" - although I would say it is creative learning, more than anything else.

In Australia, where I taught for my first blood four years, educators have been encouraged to take risks with their teaching methods if brought speakers sometimes a little unpredictable show classes or just read the poetry of sunlight.

addition, one or two states in Australia do not rely much on the examinations and tests to assess the knowledge and skills of students. This gave teachers more flexibility and allows students to work not only to produce regurgitation on a test.

In Spain, it is encouraging to see older children treat and care for young people, and this is done naturally and informally, without head prefects or boys or girls head. The quality of school food in general is there, and Britain can learn the benefits of this.

is easy to say that we need to take personal and collective responsibility of our schools, but in Japan will teachers and students in the evenings, from left to right, washing and sweeping corridors, classrooms and toilets. It is true that the low level of attention is often paid this ritual meant that the school was more spiritual than physical clean clean, but not much to say about "doing the dirty work" together.

Hedworth Gill, Professor of Food Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

came to New Zealand in 2006. I came to discover another country and worked in teaching Rangitoto College is the largest school in the southern hemisphere. My position at the school at the time was head of food and textiles. I taught at the university for two years and then returned to the UK in 2008 as a consultant in North Tyneside. However, I decided that I wanted to return to teaching and also need the sun, so I went to Rangitoto in January.

There are many things to do here that I love and appreciate and I want to return to the UK.

• The school provides professional development throughout the school, so it is done in small groups of mixed departments, all with the same theme for the long term. This term is VARK (visual / auditory / read and write / kinesthetic) and the whole school is buzzing about that all students have the most conscientious in all classes. Therefore, professional development is transferred immediately to improve learning.
• also offer professional development of staff identified as potential leaders - there is a breakfast presentation an inspirational speaker twice this quarter, then followed with an educational role and club. This is an excellent strategy for personal development within the organization.

also appreciate a system that considers children 12 and 13 years tutoring children in years 9 and 10 who are under-performing academy and also an athlete's performance where students who excel at some point have used sport lesson for additional training. They also use the time off school.

student representatives as well used here - to organize at least two events each term for students - things like Idol House or a day at the beach. It is incredible to assume responsibility for the entire event.

Michael Cunningham, Professor of English, Guangzhou, China

Find best price for : --Guardian----INSET----Australia--