La Devesa Bilingual School: Unique students, unique teachers.

In La Devesa Bilingual School we have already started the change from traditional to an adapted new methodology, where students become the main actors of the learning process instead of the teachers. In order to foster this transition we have bet for some methodologies that perfectly match with the development of 21st century learning. We are talking about the M.O.R.E approach, CLIL, Bimodal curriculum and LEAP 21.

In this new paradigm the learning process is student centered and our mission is to contribute to society with 21st century citizens but to make this happen a specific training is required for teachers. We have encouraged our teachers in this training and we have worked shoulder to shoulder with them so as to take part in this thrilling challenge.

It is quite difficult to summarize in a few words all the work which teachers do every day to make a difference, such as focusing on the use of positive language, using an accurate non-verbal communication and promoting the development of skills (in Spain content has traditionally been the only objective of learning). The activities designed by teachers imply creative and critical thinking as well as cooperation and communication. Last, but not least, we are training students to play a new and key role so they are now the knowledge’s source. A passive attitude has been removed and swept away by an active one.

In our school we are aware of the importance of our teacher long life training, taking into account the human development department we assess every member of the staff through a 360º survey, identifying features such as talent, potential or leadership. Those who have the highest scores are trained in a specific course to develop their skills even more. Afterwards, these teachers are the ones who trained the rest of our staff. We treat our staff in the same way we treat our students. Every student, as well as, every member of our staff is unique and has some strengths which contribute to build up a cooperative team, where uniqueness is welcome, appreciated and promoted.