Many parents are faced with the decision of whether the benefits of moving their child to a new school with an appealing curriculum will outweigh the discomfort of changing the environment and friends. It is worth weighing the pros and cons, while remembering that the child’s future educational and professional success depends enormously on the first few years of their education and whether they will have the chance to discover and develop their own interests.
Maple Bear schools and kindergartens combine high educational standards with English language learning through immersion, and the curricula are aligned with both Polish and Canadian educational standards. As a result, children gain the same skills and knowledge as they would at a local school, but in a bilingual environment. What’s more, children at Maple Bear not only become bilingual, but also develop the skills necessary in today’s globalized world.
How children in Maple Bear become bilingual
Maple Bear schools is where learning English, according to Canadian teaching methodology, is done through full immersion. From an early age, children acquire English naturally, through interaction with each other, guidance from teachers, and above all simply because the goal of the teaching is not the language itself. In Canadian schools, language is a tool for developing interests and passions, reading for pleasure and discovering new things. It’s the Canadian way of inspiring a lifelong love of learning in children,” emphasizes Monika Szymczak, The Principal of Maple Bear Wrocław.
In order for this approach to be effective it is essential to build a sense of security and trust between children and classroom teachers on a daily basis. The atmosphere at Maple Bear is unique – the teachers are not only professional and competent, but also warm and committed to creating an environment where every child feels accepted and motivated to learn. This is especially important for children who join Maple Bear with little to no English language skills. In Canadian schools where children of recent immigrants with no language skills regularly join, teachers use proven strategies that are effectively implemented at Maple Bear.
How Maple Bear teachers help children feel safe in their new environment
The strategy for successfully building relationships with children who do not feel confident in an English-speaking environment involves many areas and activities. It is the first step towards gaining confidence and ultimately establishing a positive relationship with the child as well, which will help them learn English and acquire other skills from the 21st century skill set crucial for their future success in life.
- Building self-confidence. Children who feel safe and accepted are more willing to take risks, which is key to learning a new language.
Teachers at Maple Bear are trained to use positive body language, smile often and make eye contact with students. These simple but effective techniques help children feel noticed and important. - Individual approach to each student. Maple Bear understands that every child is different and has unique learning needs. Therefore, teachers use an individual approach, adapting teaching methods to each student’s level and pace of learning.
- Use of visuals and stories. One of the methods used by teachers at Maple Bear is the use of visualization and storytelling to help children understand and remember new words and grammatical structures. These techniques not only make language learning easier, but also make it more interesting and engaging for students.
- Learning through action. Maple Bear promotes learning through action, which means that children learn English not only during language lessons, but also in the context of other subjects, such as math, science or art. This type of approach, known as content-based language teaching, allows children to acquire language naturally in everyday situations.
- Interactive Activities. Group work and projects are essential for effective language learning. At Maple Bear, children have many opportunities to work together with their peers, which not only helps them learn the language, but also develops social skills and builds a sense of community in the classroom.
- Professional Support for Students and Parents. Maple Bear provides support not only to students, but also to their parents. Parents are regularly updated on their children’s progress and have the opportunity to attend various workshops and meetings to help them better understand the educational process and support their children at home.
- Adaptation and Assessment. Teachers at Maple Bear are trained by Canadian educators from the Maple Bear Academic Council to regularly assess student progress and adapt teaching methods as needed. Adapting assessments and teaching methods is key, especially for children learning English as a second language. This ensures that each child has a chance to succeed and develop at their own pace.
“A child’s education at Maple Bear Elementary School is an investment in their future. The school not only offers a quality education, but also a safe and supportive environment, which is crucial to students’ success. With well-trained teachers and proven Canadian methods, children become bilingual naturally and gain the tools to become global citizens. Parents can rest assured that their children are in good hands and have all the tools they need to grow and succeed,” emphasizes Grzegorz Esz, CEO of Maple Bear Schools Poland, responsible for the development of the Maple Bear network in Poland.