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- International School of Arizona (ISA) to become recipient of the prestigious International Spanish A
The International School of Arizona, which is currently accredited by the US Cognia Accreditation, the French Ministry of Education and the Cervantes Institute by the Spanish Government, , the world’s largest education community representing 30,000 schools, is now adding an additional Spanish Accreditation through the Ministry of Education of Spain – The International Spanish Academy network provides schools with a heightened value to their educational and dual language immersion programs, along with the prestige granted by the official recognition of the Ministry of Education of Spain. The International Spanish Academy accreditation program is a bilingual, Spanish/English educational model that the Spanish Department of Education promotes in collaboration with American educational authorities. The goal of this accreditation is to offer students high-quality dual language immersion instruction that prepares them to be responsible citizens in a globalized world. This goal falls directly inline with the International School of Arizona’s mission: ‘ Opening Doors to Success in a Constantly Changing World.’ The International School of Arizona, a private, nonprofit school located in North Scottsdale, was recently voted by the Scottsdale community as one of the Best Private Schools in Arizona. Celebrating its 25th year this year, the school offers a culturally inclusive curriculum with French & Spanish language immersion programs that begins at 18 months of age and continues through 8th grade. This small school setting (333 students) offers three different school levels for prospective students: Early Childhood (PK1-PK4), the Lower School (Kindergarten – 5th grade) and Middle School (6th – 8th grade). Each classroom offers small class sizes taught by native speakers from countries such as Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and France. The International School of Arizona will officially be receiving this prestigious accreditation on their campus at a special reception on November 15th, where honorary dignitaries from the Consulate of Spain (Alredo J. Molina) and the Embassy of Spain (Mariola Sanchez Cascon) will be on campus to present the newest accreditation. If you are interested in finding out more about ISA, please contact Francis Hewitt, Director of Admissions and Marketing at fhewitt@isaz.org or visit ISA at https://isaz.org/ To find out more about the International Spanish Academy please visit International Spanish Academy
- International School of Arizona (ISA) introduces a unique partnership with AZ School of Music
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” And that is exactly what ISA is going to offer its students – MUSIC! ISA is excited to enhance its already unique dual immersion curriculum program with the addition of music from the Arizona School of Music! (Also known as Kirk’s Studio for the Performing Arts). Students enrolled in ISA’s kindergarten through 8th grade will have the opportunity to take private music lessons during the school day on ISA’s campus for an extra fee. Families can now avoid the hassle of running around after school taking their children to lessons. The Arizona School of Music has been a strong presence within the Scottsdale/Phoenix arts community for 20 years. Arizona School of Music is well-known for its quality, experienced instructors and superb lessons taught privately and in small groups. ISA, a private, nonprofit school located in North Scottsdale, was recently voted by the Scottsdale community as one of the Best Private Schools in Arizona in 2022. Its mission, ‘ Opening Doors to Success in a Constantly Changing World ’ does exactly that! Founded 24 years ago in Arizona, with a culturally inclusive curriculum, the International School of Arizona offers French & Spanish language immersion programs that begins at 18 months of age and continues through 8th grade. This small school setting (318 students) offers three different school levels for prospective students: Early Childhood (PK1-PK4), the Lower School (Kindergarten – 5th grade) and Middle School (6th – 8th grade). Each classroom offers small class sizes taught by native speakers from countries such as Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and France. In addition, the International School of Arizona is accredited by the French Ministry of Education, the Cervantes Institute by the Spanish Government, and US Accreditation through Cognia, the world’s largest education community representing 30,000 schools. If you are interested in enrolling your student at ISA and taking advantage of the on campus music lessons, please contact Francis Hewitt, Director of Admissions and Marketing at admissions@isaz.org or by calling 480-874-2326 or visit ISA at https://isaz.org/ To visit the Arizona School of Music please contact https://kirksstudio.com/classes/
- Program Spotlight: Pre-K
Learning a second language at an early age has tremendous benefits. At the International School of Arizona, we ensure that our young students receive the best quality of education, starting at 18 months. Read our article below to learn more about our pre-K program and how it aims to improve your child’s bilingualism. Who is The International School of Arizona? For over 20 years, our school has been one of Arizona’s premier accredited French and Spanish immersion programs that ready children for a bilingual future. Our community is made up of a diverse, experienced staff dedicated to meeting parents’ high academic standards for their children’s education. Additionally, the International School of Arizona is the only DELE examination center in the State of Arizona . The Pre-K Program is Designed to Educate the Whole Child The ISA pre-K program sets the foundations for reading, writing, and problem-solving while building the initial steps for understanding the target language. Our teachers are native speakers and only use the target language during everyday activities. Our pre-k program consists of four groups: ● PK1: 18 months – 2 years old ● PK2: 2 – 3 years old ● PK3: 3 – 4 years old ● PK4: 4 – 5 years old What Does the Pre-K Program Entail? In addition to teaching students in a second language, we develop fundamental skills such as gross and fine motor skills. It’s been shown that a language education enhances students’ cognitive skills such as the ability to concentrate, control behavior, and effectively analyze and communicate. A child’s early years are some of the most positive and fun, which is why we try to make every aspect of our program as engaging as possible. The ISA pre-K program is organized into 6 domains: Oral Language in all its Dimensions Expressing and Understanding through Physical Activity Expressing and Understanding through Artistic Activity Building the First Tools to Structural Thinking Discovering the World Living Together A Consistent Schedule for Pre-K Students Our daily schedule includes center-based instruction, which encourages cooperative learning while building pre-academic skills with hands-on activities. A typical day consists of children participating in large and small group activities, games, free play, songs, stories, and naps for those in PK1, PK2, and PK3. We also offer a structured curriculum and follow a traditional school calendar for all students beginning at age 18 months. Enroll Your Child Into ISA’s Pre-K Program The International School of Arizona continues to adapt, evolve, and provide an inclusive cultural curriculum to all students. We offer French and Spanish language immersion programs that begin at 18 months and continue through 8th grade. Contact us today for more information on our programs and give your child the gift of a second language. #InternationalSchoolofArizona #ForeignLanguage #Languageimmersion #education #preK #Children
- Teacher and Student Relationships
There’s often a perception that when it comes to education, the teacher is in charge and dictates the classroom. While this is partially true, professor Frederick Erickson describes the student-to-teacher relationship as “co-producing with students the very behavior that [we often take] as evidence of an individual characteristic of the student.” This means that each day and in every moment, the teacher and students are working together, a philosophy we use here at ISA. Learn more about the teacher and student relationship in our blog post below. The International School of Arizona offers small class sizes and two immersion tracks: French and Spanish. Our faculty and staff work with our students to create a multicultural bilingual environment through play, structured language learning, and the study of math, science, social studies, music, and art. Contact us to learn why ISA may be a good fit for you. Interdependence in the Classroom In order to truly understand the teacher and student relationship, we must take a look at the term “interdependence” and how it affects both students and teachers every day in the classroom. According to Merriam-Webster , interdependence is defined as the state of being dependent upon one another. Therefore the educational success and environment of a classroom depend on both the students and the teacher. What This Looks Like Interdependence takes action in a classroom when both the students and the teacher are working together to create the ecosystem necessary to learn and grow. Students often contribute a variety of cognitive abilities, early childhood experiences, and cultures whereas teachers make tens of thousands of decisions each day that affect their students. This reality brings light to how crucial a teacher’s health and well-being is in order to guide and take part in an effective classroom. The International School of Arizona’s faculty and staff work tirelessly and collaboratively with the students to ensure they create an inclusive environment that promotes learning and growth. Teacher Spotlight: Pam Pointer Here at the International School of Arizona, we are proud to put a spotlight on our teachers. This month, we’d like to introduce you to Pam Pointer. She is joining us from Memphis, Tennessee and brings with her a passion for teaching with a focus on global citizenship, international-mindedness, and a culturally responsive curriculum. Learn more about Pam below. Pamela Pointer (Pam) comes to us from Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tennessee. She has over 22 years of teaching experience, 13 as an international educator and basketball coach. She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Memphis and a Master’s in Education degree from Belhaven College. She is currently licensed to teach in Arizona and Tennessee. Pam’s goal is to educate with global citizenship, international-mindedness, and a culturally responsive curriculum. She aims to demonstrate the ability to lead, motivate, and get the best out of her students physically, socially, and emotionally. She understands the importance of recruiting and retaining students through a meaningful and worthwhile experience. At the International School of Arizona, we pride ourselves on having a multicultural staff and teaching a multicultural and bilingual curriculum. Contact us to learn more about the benefits of both. #education #InternationalSchoolofArizona #Languageprograms
- 5 Ways to Support Your Child While Moving
People move for various reasons: work, retirement, marriage, change of scenery, etc. According to Steinway Moving & Storage , Americans move an average of 11.7 times in their lifetime. You can ask anyone, and they will likely tell you that moving is one of the hardest things to do. Not only is it stressful for adults, but it can take a toll on children as well. As a parent, it’s up to you to make sure they get the support they need during this big change. As one of the most proficient multi-language private schools, the International School of Arizona knows what big changes can do to childrens’ stress. You must help them during this big transition and let them know how they’re feeling and what you’re doing is perfectly normal. Read our blog post below and learn 5 ways you can support your child while moving. Discuss the Move With Your Child One of the most important ways you can help your child accept that they’re moving to a new home is to talk about it. You should give them as much information about the move as soon as possible, answering questions completely and truthfully while being receptive to positive and negative reactions. Even if the move brings an improvement to family life, change is scary for young children. Support them by helping them understand the full scope of the move . Include Them in Moving Decisions Another trick you can do to alleviate the stress of moving is to involve them in making decisions about the move. While they can’t help with every decision, there are some they can help with. Examples include: Which of their belongings should be taken or given away How they’d like to arrange their rooms What color they’d like their room to be If you move into a bigger home, which room they would like However, Fox Business details , “while it’s important to consider the kids in major purchases or life changes, experts advise parents to draw a line in how much clout their opinions carry. After all, kids are exactly that: kids. And, their motivations to live in a particular town or home will be a lot different than what parents should be considering.” Make Moving Fun According to Moving Company Reviews , whether your child feels negative or positive about a move will depend heavily on your attitude about the move. This is because parents’ feelings can influence the way they feel. So, by making the move a more positive experience your child will feel more comfortable and positive about the transition. To make it more of a positive experience, you may consider these points: Keep them busy by asking them for help Invite their friends for a farewell party so everyone can say goodbye Give them free rein on what music to play while packing Moving far away? Find exciting places to stop along the way Help Them Adjust After the Move Not only is the transition hard, but the period following the move can be just as stressful. One way to make sure they’re not overwhelmed is by helping them maintain their normal schedule as close to the one they’re used to as possible. This means bedtimes, mealtimes, and study times do not change. As a parent, your role is vital in helping your child navigate life in a new setting. This may involve you taking them to school and speaking with their teachers. Additionally, you may find yourself helping them in other areas of their lives, like encouraging them to make friends by going to the park or other public spaces. At ISA, we help children during the school year adjust to their new environment. Our multicultural faculty and staff work closely with children and parents in identifying and managing their feelings during this transition. Our goal is to ensure each student feels safe, nurtured, and happy. Moving is Hard, but Learning a Second Language Doesn’t Have to Be At the International School of Arizona, we welcome families from all over the world and look out for their best interests. We work closely with each student to ensure they’re on the right track to speaking French and Spanish fluently while helping them transition into their new environments. Contact us today to learn more about our international school. #InternationalSchoolofArizona #Tips #Support #Moving #Children
- What is Accreditation and Why is it Important?
Research has shown that full-language immersion education provides students with excellent cognitive and academic skills. Additionally, immersion has a huge benefit on our children’s future employment. Institutions that achieve accreditation for dual-language learning provide exceptional skills in providing the gift of bilingualism to our students. The International School of Arizona is one of the state’s premier language immersion schools. We’re very proud of the work we do in educating our students in Spanish, French, and English. Learn what accreditation The International School of Arizona has and why it’s important for immersion schools to have them. What Accreditation Does The International School of Arizona Have? ISA is accredited by a number of notable international institutions, including the French Accreditation through the Ministry of Education, the Spanish Accreditation through the Cervantes Institute, and U.S. Accreditation through Cognia . Through these incredible organizations, our school has obtained the knowledge and experience to be proficient in educating students in the wonders of bilingualism. To maintain our accreditations, we must preserve these organizations’ best practices and educate our students with great integrity. Staying on top of these standards allows us to continuously improve our curriculum and make positive impacts on our students’ lives. Additionally, we follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR) to determine language proficiency. The framework groups mastery into three broad groups: basic, independent, and proficient users. Students will gradually advance their dual-language prowess to become adept at a second language and move up in their levels. These segments are based on their individual achievements and the CEFR develops descriptors for each student’s educational level to quantify how they are doing. Why is Accreditation Important? Think about when you hire an accountant. While anybody who goes to school for it, can be an accountant, wouldn’t you rather invest in a certified public accountant? They went the extra mile to be experts in their field, and it will show in the work they do for you. Now, why wouldn’t you have the same mentality for your child’s schooling? These are very crucial development years and it’s important that your child gets a good start in their education. Additionally, dual-language education has the power to enrich their lives through better cognitive, academic, and problem-solving skills. Moreover, learning a second language will help them down the line in their future career paths. When you enroll your child in a school with accreditations, you can feel comfortable knowing their development is in the right hands. The International School of Arizona is The Right Choice For Your Student As a nonprofit, independent school, we believe that moving our community forward begins at a young age. We offer language immersion programs to prepare children for a bright future in any path they choose. Whether they work in multinational companies or become valuable community members, dual-language learning will help them in their future success. Contact The International School of Arizona today to learn more about our language immersion program. #InternationalSchoolofArizona #Accreditation #Students #Spanish #French
- How After-School Programs Enrich Your Child’s Language Immersion
A good after-school program can be extremely beneficial for your child’s continued education by turning unproductive hours into extended learning opportunities. It’s an incredible resource for students’ development and allows them to hone in on their skills. The International School of Arizona offers after-school physical education and enrichment opportunities to expand our students’ minds and bodies with a variety of courses. Read our article below to learn how our program is helping students move forward. After-School Programs Create a Sense of Belonging These programs allow students to connect with their peers in a collaborative, flexible environment. Students in these programs are more likely to be included and feel like they’re part of a group. As you probably know, dual-language learning has a lot of benefits for our children’s development. When you incorporate an after-school program into the mix, your child can potentially increase their understanding of new cultures, communication abilities, and encourage open-minded perspectives. After-School Programs Provide Academic Support As part of our mission to expand your child’s interest and ability to speak a second language, academic support is vital in our after-school program. Many programs will provide some sort of homework help , as this time can be very helpful for students who struggle at home or are having trouble understanding the material. Students Find Relief From Behavioral and Emotional Issues According to Hot Spots , children require positive and productive interactions with their peers and adult role models. After-school programs create an outlet for students to make more valuable connections with those around them. They give students the confidence and ability to interact with a diverse group of people to learn tolerance and open-mindedness. Resulting in the student’s ability to curb behavioral and emotional issues often seen in their early years. After-School Programs Provide Outlets for Creativity and Discovery Children who are a part of a good after-school program are allowed to learn and create productively. With a supervised curriculum and greater interaction amongst their peers, students can find creative solutions and build strong relationships in this environment. In terms of dual-language learning, students are given the tools to be creative and expand their understanding of different cultures and languages. International School of Arizona Provides Extended Care Programs In addition to its full-time academic programs, ISA offers after-school physical education and enrichment opportunities which allow our students to further flex their minds and bodies through a wide selection of classes. We ensure your student is given the sources needed to enrich their education in dual-language learning. Contact us today to learn more about our after-school program. #InternationalSchoolofArizona #Students #AfterSchool #Support #Benefits
- The Benefits of a Cervantes Institute Accreditation
If you’re looking to enroll your child in a school that teaches Spanish as a second language, one of the best things you can do is choose a school accredited by the Cervantes Institute. This ensures that the school complies with the legal requirements for teaching, and efficiently prepares students for exams to obtain various diplomas in Spanish. This is especially important for students who are working towards passing the DELE test. As the only DELE testing center in Arizona, the International School of Arizona is a Cervantes Institute accredited school . Read our article below to learn the requirements we must go through to preserve our accreditation and how this benefits our students. The Requirements to Obtain the Cervantes Institute Accreditation Schools that wish to opt for accreditation must undergo a strenuous assessment of their academic program . This includes looking at our teaching standards, facilities, equipment, administrative organizations, and advertising. Once obtained, we go through routine assessments (every three years) to ensure we are meeting all of Cervantes Institute’s standards. There are only 37 accredited schools around the world, and only one accredited in the United States. We’re proud to say that it is the International School of Arizona. The Benefits of Enrolling Your Child in a Cervantes Institute School When you enroll your child in our school you can be assured that our teachers are qualified in guiding your student through their course of studies. Our staff is experienced in dual-language immersion and incorporates the second language in a significant portion of their studies. Studies have shown that bilingual students benefit from the impact language immersion has on their development. Additionally, as the world becomes more connected children must prepare themselves for a future where they must interact with different cultures and languages. Enrolling your child early will ensure they’re ready to engage with the world ahead of them. The Cervantes Institute accreditation is an incredible resource that provides parents confidence that they’re sending their children to the right school. At the International School of Arizona, we hold our curriculum to a high standard to ensure your child reaches their goals and for the next stage in their life. The accreditation helps us stay on track and ensures we’re meeting our standard of excellence. ISA Strives to Support Your Child’s Development In today’s business world, speaking more than one language creates bigger opportunities for dual-language speakers in the workforce. Not to mention, it allows us to easily connect with individuals who might not necessarily speak one’s native language. At the International School of Arizona, we work closely with each student to ensure they’re on the right track to speaking fluently in French, Spanish, and English with the goal of one day being proficient enough to obtain their DELE certificate. Contact us today to learn how we can help. #InternationalSchoolofArizona #Bilingual #SpanishLanguage #DELETest #Requirements #Children
- 9 Cognitive Skills to Develop
Cognitive skills are extremely important to develop during the early years of life as they help your brain think, read, learn, reason, pay attention and remember . These skills help process incoming information and distribute it to the appropriate areas of the brain. Improving and mastering these skills results in a better and easier experience in school by being able to understand and complete tasks successfully. Furthermore, as children continue to learn and improve their abilities, these skills also come in handy in their professional and personal lives. Below are the nine cognitive skills every child should develop. Cognitive Skills Sustained Attention Allows a child to stay focused on a single task for long periods of time. Selective Attention Allows a child to place their focus on one single task despite other distractions around them. An example of this is doing their homework when the television is on and avoid getting distracted by it. Divided Attention On the other hand, divided attention allows a child to multitask and perform two tasks at once without forgetting information about either action. Long-Term Memory This allows children to retain information from the past. This cognitive skill is crucial when taking tests, or recalling formulas, or names during school activities. Working Memory Working memory allows children to retain information while using it. This is helpful when following a series of instructions without having to stop and look back at the tasks over and over again. Logic and Reasoning Improving this skill will result in better problem solving and idea generation. This ability will also reduce the sense of feeling overwhelmed when presented with difficult situations. Auditory Processing This critical skill allows a child’s brain to better analyze, blend, and segment information. Auditory processing is especially useful when learning to read by helping better understand the information being presented. Visual Processing Just like auditory processing, visual processing helps interpret visual information better. Things such as images, maps, graphs, and tables will be much easier to analyze and understand. Processing Speed Performing tasks faster and accurately is a result of processing speed ability. Children will be able to interpret information faster and improve productivity in school tasks. Learning with International School of Arizona While developing all these cognitive skills will improve a child’s academic experience and performance, it is important to understand that every child learns at their own pace and will excel in some areas more than others. At the International School of Arizona, we specialize in education beginning with PK1 all the way to 8th grade. We focus on immersion in French and Spanish language programs. With over 22 years of bilingual education experience, we can help your child develop and improve their cognitive skills while giving them the gift of a second language. Contact us today to learn more. #InternationalSchoolofArizona #CognitiveLearning #Attention #Skills #education
- How Immersion is the Key to Foreign Language Learning
Research has shown that immersion models of learning have a tremendous impact on children’s foreign language learning. Language immersion courses are effective in developing students’ fluency and other cognitive skills. Not to mention its influence on their future careers and proficiency in problem-solving. But why is the immersion teaching model so effective and how do second-language educators wield it to influence student success? As one of the top language immersion programs in Arizona, the International School of Arizona inspires, educates, and grows our students to be fluent second-language speakers. What is Immersion Language Learning? Immersion programs are educational institutions that include curriculum you’d expect from traditional schools. However, to identify as a language immersion school, the institute must spend at least 50% of its time learning a non-English language. Second-language educators use modeling, manipulatives, and explanations to teach students curriculum in a non-English language. Moreover, as students become acquainted with the language, they will learn how to use it in each subject. As a result, educators will help students reach their ultimate goal: fluency in speaking, writing, and reading in another language. The Benefits Immersion Programs Have on Language Learning A prominent benefit to learning a second language is the language’s ability to activate different parts of our brain. While learning another language can be laborious for any individual, young students have an easier time getting results. Additionally, students develop academic skills that resonate with them throughout their educational careers and beyond. Students who achieve fluency in another language benefit from increased neurological processing , meaning they’re more likely to learn and retain new information. Moreover, bilingual students will likely have greater attention to detail. Also, studies have indicated that students who learn a second language acquire improved problem-solving skills. A study from 2004 found that bilingual youth were more successful in solving puzzles and other problems than single-language students. Therefore, language learning has a tremendous impact on critical thinking skills and gives children the ability to plan, solve, and perform demanding tasks. Immersion Techniques to Promote Effective Learning As mentioned, language learning can be a laborious task for anyone. That is why it’s important for educators to develop effective strategies to use in their classrooms. This may involve several methods including: Storytelling Developing personalized tasks Creating language standards Using authentic assessments Incorporating online resources Connecting with the culture Building upon the primary and secondary language Give Your Child the Gift of a Second Language with the International School of Arizona For 22 years, the International School of Arizona has helped students evolve, adapt, and grow through our immersive language learning program. We focus on early childhood (pre-K and kindergarten), lower school (grades 1-5), and middle school (grades 6-8) development. Our staff is committed to your child’s success and we work tirelessly to push them forward. Contact us today to learn how our talented staff can help your child. #DualLanguage #ForeignLanguage #Languageimmersion #Languageprograms
- 4 Cognitive Benefits of Language Immersion Programs
A common question we hear is why children should learn a second language when they’re still learning their primary language. While this may seem like demanding work, learning a second language comes more naturally the younger the child is. Additionally, the benefit will simply be worth it in the end. Studies have suggested that second language immersion has a significant impact on young minds. As a parent, it is up to you to know how bilingual education will benefit your child. As one of the best private schools in Arizona, the International School of Arizona provides valuable information on its impact. Bilingual People Have Increased Neurological Processing According to FutureLearn, studies suggest that bilingual people show increased activation in the brain region associated with cognitive skills. These include skills like concentration and inhibition. Additionally, bilinguals are more likely to be better listeners than single language individuals. FutureLearn states bilingual people are more likely to understand what people are saying in noisy environments. By enrolling in a language immersion program, students will benefit from greater attention to detail. Language Immersion Promotes Improvements in Learning In addition to improved attention to detail, children will see improvements in their learning. Those who pursue a second language may process information much more efficiently. The Dana Foundation notes this may be due to their ability to focus on information, reducing interference from unrelated sources. This is especially true for students engaged in a language immersion program where they grow their vocabulary among other studies. Bilingual Children are Improved Problem-Solvers Another benefit language immersion provides young children is molding them into active problem-solvers. A study conducted in 2004 found that bilingual youth were more successful in solving puzzles than their monolingual counterparts. Therefore, suggesting bilingual experience improves critical thinking skills, giving children the ability to plan, solve problems, and perform demanding tasks. Language Immersion Improves the Primary Language NPR reports a study was conducted that showed dual-language students outperformed single-language students in English-reading skills. Jennifer Steele, the researcher behind the study, suspects it’s because learning two languages makes students more aware of how languages work in general. Similarly, Gigi Luk from Harvard conducted they’re own experiment where children were studying English as a secondary language. Therefore, having a much weaker understanding of the English vocabulary. Despite this, the study found that the bilingual students were just as skilled at decoding the text. Luk theorizes this is due to the bilingual’s ability to problem-solve. Unlock Your Child’s Potential with International School of Arizona The International School of Arizona has over 20 years of history in providing bilingual education in the Grand Canyon State. We specialize in education beginning in pre-K to the 8th grade that focuses on two language tracks: French and Spanish. We also offer Dele testing for students working towards Spanish fluency. Contact us today and discover how our diverse staff can help your child with their education of a second language. #Benefitsofbeingbilingual #CognitiveLearning #Languageimmersion #Languageprograms
- French Language Day Plus the Benefits of an AEFE Accreditation
French Language Day is celebrated on March 20 and was established over ten years ago by the United Nations Department of Public Information to celebrate the cultural diversity and support the equal use of the official languages spoken throughout the organization. As the fifth most spoken global language, approximately 300 million people across five continents speak French. It’s also the official language in over 29 countries. French became an official language in the United States in 1969. With the continued growth of the language being spoken, a unique global academic network was created in 1990, known as The Agency of French Education Abroad (AEFE). The network coordinates and manages the French education instituitions abroad. Its objective is to ensure that there is continuity in the public education service for French children outside of France, and to help spread French language and culture abroad. According to demographers , the population of French speakers could rise to 700 million by 2050. With such a big projection of growth, it’s important to understand the benefits of an AEFE accreditation. The Benefits of an AEFE Accreditation There are several benefits for schools to have an AEFE accreditation. One of the main purposes of the accreditation is to certify that the teaching provided by the school complies with the curriculum, teaching objectives, and organization protocols of the French education system. The AEFE leads in innovative teaching methods and has the world’s largest educational network. There are over 535 schools in 139 countries with an AEFE accreditation. Of these, 71 schools are managed directly by the AEFE , 156 schools are under a contractual agreement, and 295 are in partnership. The AEFE prides itself on cultivating high quality environments by having a targeted and selective recruitment policy as well as an effective assessment system in place. Their training program provides over 900 sessions for approximately 33,000 trainees per year. This translates into having thousands of qualified staff members that are recruited to provide students with a well-rounded education including sports, culture, and the arts, in addition to general studies taught in French and English. The benefits of having this accreditation clearly provides a level of uncompromised excellence for setting students up for success. How is an AEFE Accreditation obtained? The process of obtaining accreditation is completed once the Ministry of National Education (MEN) evaluates the French curriculum, including the qualifications of the teacher, the quality of teaching, and student success. There are several different ways of being a part of the network and three types of organizational aspects of relationships and management for the 522 schools within the AEFE network around the world. The International School of Arizona is proud to have its French Accreditation through the French Ministry of Education. We are in compliance with the demands, curricula, teaching objectives, and organizational policies of the French education system. ISA delivers the French National Curriculum in a language immersion environment, using the inquiry-based methodology at the core of the French Education philosophy. ISA is monitored by the AEFE (Association des Écoles Françaises à L’Étranger) and is one of the 200 approved French schools in North America. At the International School of Arizona, we work closely with each student to ensure they’re on the right track to speaking French fluently, with the goal of one day continuing to higher education and create bigger opportunities for dual-language speakers in the workforce. Contact us today to learn how we can help. #InternationalSchoolofArizona #FrenchEducation #FrenchLanguage #Globallanguages #AEFEAccreditation












