About international education
Young people growing up in Scotland today can look forward to spending their working lives as citizens of an increasingly complex world. International education will become fundamental to their realising their potential in such a multicultural and global society.
'International education' is a broad concept, and it can be exemplified in a variety of forms and experiences. These include school-based experiences, often using ICT, in addition to school links, exchanges and overseas visits. Learning in and through international education can make learning about any subject or any cross-curricular theme more relevant and fun.
International education and Curriculum for Excellence
Curriculum for Excellence specifically refers to young people 'developing a knowledge and understanding of the world and Scotland’s place in it'. International education can play a meaningful role in achieving all four of the Curriculum for Excellence capacities.
This website offers information and examples about the extensive range of activities and experiences which can enhance the learning and growth of young people and the professional development of educators. In many cases, these experiences can be described as ‘life-changing’.
Scottish Government agenda
Read the Scottish Government’s agenda for international education.
The Scottish Government recognises that international education can significantly improve the classroom experiences for children and young people. Minister for Schools and Skills Maureen Watt talks about international education and its role in creating a smarter Scotland in the Scottish Parliament.
Learning and Teaching Scotland's role
LTS will be responsible for:
- the promotion of international education within schools, and the dissemination of information about opportunities and good practice
- the development of CPD opportunities for staff and the Scottish Continuing International Professional Development study visits programme
- liaison with other organisations involved in international education, and the development of links and contacts with countries abroad
- the promotion of research in international education, and maintaining an overview of benchmarking Scotland against international standards.
Local authority co-ordinators
Each authority has someone, usually one of the Quality Improvement Officers, who co-ordinates activity across the area. Find your local authority coordinator.
New reference Group
LTS is forming a new Reference Group, with membership drawn from appropriate agencies and organisations in the areas of International Education, Education for Citizenship and Sustainable development. The group will meet for the first time in autumn 2009.