5 Best International Schools in Italy, 2022

2021 www.theknowledgereview.com

| VOL-05 | ISSUE-00

January 2022 Issue - 02

5Best

International

SCHOOLS

inItaly,

2022

Beyond Boundaries

Eight Characteristics of a

Great International School

Culture and Knowledge

Understanding the Dynamics

of Culture-Based Education

American

SCHOOL OF MILAN

Preparing Students to Excel in the Changing World of Tomorrow

EDITOR’S NOTE

PUTTING

THE PIECES

TOGETHER!

AGerman geologist – Alfred Wegener, once

observed that the outlines of several coasts on

the world map looked like they strangely fit

together, like pieces of a puzzle. In 1915, Wegener went

on to propose his theory of ‘Continental Drift,’

suggesting that the landmass of several continents had

broken down from one ‘Supercontinent’ and shifted

through time to form the present world geography.

Interestingly, this process of drifting continents is still

ongoing.

However, the progression of humans is contradictory to

this geographical progression of earth, as huntergatherers

had initiated this human quest for bringing the

world closer. As the wheel of time turned, humans

explored and habituated the world, built extravagant

structures, shared wisdom advanced technologically to

cut this constraint of distance further, predominantly

bringing the world closer while the 'Plate Tectonics' are

still drifting apart.

While globalisation bolstered trade and business, it was

'International Education' that boosted knowledge transfer

globally. The term International Education refers to a

dynamic concept that involves a journey or movement of

people, minds, or ideas across political and cultural

frontiers. It further liberalises and transforms economic,

social, and cultural arrangements worldwide.

With this issue of '5 Best International Schools in Italy,

2022', The Knowledge Review brings you stories of the

Best International Schools in Italy that have been

striving to build state-of-the-art learning grounds and

setting up a benchmark in building inclusive nurturing

ecosystems for children.

On the cover, we have a scintillating journey of

American School of Milan, a school that has been

educating international students from more than 50

countries for more than 50 years.

Other institutes highlighted in this issue includes stories

of Castelli International School, Dilit International

House, The International School in Genoa, Southlands

International School. We have also included articles

written by our in-house writers that will tickle your brain

with exciting trends, helpful insights, and great ideas.

Let this edition of The Knowledge Review be a go-to

guide for your journey in the education industry.

Have a wonderful read. T R

Vrushal Zatey

Vrushal Ravindra Zatey

vrushal.zatey@insightssuccess.com

A R T I C L E S

C

O

BEYOND BOUNDARIES

EIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF A

GREAT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

CULTURE AND KNOWLEDGE

UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS

OF CULTURE-BASED EDUCATION

N

T

E

N

T

CASTELLI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

DEVELOPING CARING, INQUISITIVE,

WELL-ROUNDED INDIVIDUALS

DILIT

EDUCATING STUDENTS TO ENSURE

THEIR PERSONAL, INTELLECTUAL,

AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

C X O

VETERAN'S INSIGHT

ENHANCING ONLINE CLASSES

FOR BETTER ACADEMIC OUTCOMES

AMERICAN

SCHOOL OF MILAN

PREPARING STUDENTS TO EXCEL

IN THE CHANGING WORLD OF TOMORROW

C O V E R S T O R Y

People behind this edition

sales@insightssuccess.com

JANUARY, 2022

Editor-in-Chief

Pooja Bansal

Senior Editor

Managing Editor

Assisting Editor

Anish Miller

Ashlesh Khadse

Vrushal Zatey

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Name of the Institution

AMERICAN

SCHOOL OF MILAN

CASTELLIE

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

DILIT

INTERANTIONAL SCHOOL

SOUTHLADS

ITERNATIONAL SCHOOL

URL

asmilan.org/

castelli-international.it/

dilit.it/

southlands.it/

Brief

The American School of Milan (ASM) is an

independent, co-educational college preparatory

day school with a state-of-the-art campus located

south of Milan. Founded in 1962, ASM has been

educating international students from more than 50

countries for more than 50 years.

Castelli International School is on a misson to

develop inquisitive, caring and well-rounded

global citizens who will make a positive impact

in our world.

Dilit (Divulgazione Lingua Italiana), established in 1974

and ofcially authorized by the Italian Ministry of

Education, was one of the rst language schools in Italy to

teach Italian as a Foreign Language and has established

itself as one of the most prestigious Italian Language

Schools in the country today.

Southlands is an outstanding British

International School in the south of Rome.

Offering a holistic British international

education for students aged 3 to 18 on a

spacious rural campus.

THE INTERNATIONAL

SCHOOL IN GENOA

isgenoa.it/

The International School in Genoa has

deservedly earned a reputation as a caring

community that strives to make learning a

joyful experience.

“

We are a close-knit community and

view enrolment of a student as a

“

partnership between the school and

each family.

Preparing Students to Excel in the

Changing World of Tomorrow

C O V E R S T O R Y

““

5 Best International Schools in Italy, 2022

ilan is not only considered

Mas a global leader in the

fashion industry but is also

renowned for offering excellent

educational opportunities to students

worldwide. The leading schools of the

city offer academic and infrastructural

facilities of global repute. One such

prominent school, which is embracing

academic excellence while providing

students with tremendous opportunities

to grow and make a mark in their

career, is The American School of

Milan (ASM).

The school was founded in 1962 by a

group of American families looking for

an English language educational

opportunity for their children. Since

those humble beginnings, the school

has enjoyed the role of educational

leader in Milan and the entire country

of Italy. Today, ASM has 820 students

from PreK through 12th grade,

graduating about 70 students per year.

Its mission guides its daily work and

its long-term strategic planning: "The

American School of Milan ensures a

modern and rigorous education for

International students to excel in the

changing world of tomorrow."

Our mission is to ensure

ASM offers the IB Diploma

programme, and its graduates attend

top universities around the world,

including Stanford University in the

US, and Oxford in the UK. ASM is one

of only two non-profit, truly diverse

international schools in Milan. It

currently has students from over 50

nationalities enrolled. The school

serves the diplomatic community of

Milan, including the US Consulate.

ASM has a purpose-built campus

located approximately 8 kilometres

from Milan city centre. Located in the

neighbourhood of Noverasco, ASM is

flanked by a golf course and features a

wide-open soccer pitch. It has two full

gymnasiums and over 50 classrooms,

including well-equipped science labs.

The school's library serves all students

th

from PreK to 12 standard. It also

offers excellent food in its top-class

school cafeteria. ASM opened a 500-

seat auditorium in 2019, capping a

five-year expansion that saw new

classrooms added, the cafeteria

remodelled, and several infrastructure

upgrades related to the needs of a

growing campus.

a modern and rigorous education to

prepare students to excel in the

changing world of tomorrow.

Prioritizing Excellent Learning

Outcomes

Team ASM believes that curriculum is

the invisible backbone of any school.

Course objectives and learning

outcomes are an integral component of

any curriculum as they provide the

point of arrival for learning. Without

course objectives and learning

outcomes, teachers are at risk of

creating a raft of activities that do not

combine into a meaningful whole.

Backwards planning is a principle that

the school adopted many years ago. It

helps ASM to design the learning

journey to make sure that the learning

puzzle fits together, and students are

able to build an understanding of

meaningful content, skills, and

concepts that are regularly assessed.

At ASM, the ultimate academic

objective is the International

Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Thus, its course objectives and learning

outcomes are selected to make sure

that there is alignment and adequate

preparation for success in the Diploma

Programme.

The school has created a systematic

curriculum review cycle that provides

it with opportunities to regularly

review its outcomes and objectives to

ensure that its programmes are at the

cutting edge of international education.

During department meetings, teacher

teams share representative student

work from each grade level within

divisions to look for progression and

appropriate skill level. The

standardized tests ASM selects help it

to compare its achievement to the

scores of international peer schools to

benchmark its programmes and make

adjustments accordingly.

"We thoughtfully design course

objectives and learning aligned to our

values in order to provide a coherent

Wayne Rutherford

Director- American

School of Milan

learning experience for our students, so they are prepared

for the pace of change demanded by the 21st century and

develop the dispositions to take positive action," opines the

management.

The Passionate Leader

Wayne Rutherford has been ASM's Director since August

2019. He arrived in Milan from Cairo, Egypt where he was

Head of School for seven years. His crisis management

leadership during Egypt's second revolution (Summer 2013)

had somewhat prepared him for the crisis leadership

necessitated by the COVID pandemic. Milan and

Lombardia were the first places hit by the coronavirus in

February 2020, and ASM was among the very first schools

to be shut down due to the virus. It successfully turned to

online learning (losing only one day of instructional time

for teacher preparation) and emerged as a leader in the early

days of online learning. Mr. Rutherford had several articles

published about school leadership during the pandemic and

leveraged the international network of schools to help ASM

become a recognized leader in covid crisis management and

online learning.

Extra-Curricular Endeavours

ASM not only focuses on academic

development of the students, but, also

provides them with ample

opportunities to shine in the extracurricular

arena. Extra-curricular

activities provide opportunities for

leadership and personal growth. The

ASM sports and after-school activities

are designed to provide students with a

variety of activities wherein students

can learn new skills, develop their

talents, and socialize with friends. The

activities fall into three main

categories: active, creative, and

academic. Students are encouraged to

take the opportunity to participate in at

least one activity during the school

year.

The Wall of Fame

Owing to its dedicated educational

endeavours, ASM has received various

noteworthy accolades. The school is

accredited by the American Middle

States Association of Schools and

Colleges, as well as by the

International Baccalaureate Office,

which authorizes its IB Diploma

programme. ASM is an Eco School,

recognized for various initiatives

towards green operations. It facilitates

the 5th and 8th grade Italian exams for

the Italian students wishing to maintain

their Italian credentials. ASM is a

member of the Mediterranean

Association of International Schools

(MAIS) and the Educational

Collaborative for International Schools

(ECIS).

Prepared for the Pandemic

Team ASM has learned a lot about

operating a school during a pandemic.

Last year's lessons along with the most

recent Italian government edicts and

the latest science guide the school's

efforts to always keep the students and

the whole community safe and healthy.

For most part, its approach is the same

from the time the pandemic began: a

proven, multi-layered set of procedures

and requirements that combined, allow

it to avoid any on-campus transmission

of COVID. Team ASM plans to

continue to carry out temperature

checks, masks, social distancing, and

frequent hand sanitization.

“Although history has shown us that

school systems are slow to change, the

pandemic has taught us that schools

can indeed be agile”, shares the

management. At ASM, necessity was

indeed the mother of invention. It has

learned from Early Childhood to Grade

12 that putting student learning and

happiness at the forefront of its

priorities and monitoring its systems

and protocols accordingly is the recipe

for success.

Building Bright Careers

The goal of ASM's university

counselling office is to help its students

identify the appropriate 'fit' for all postsecondary

options. 'Fit' is defined as

finding an institution that meets the

academic, emotional, geographical,

and financial needs of the student. This

improves a student's likelihood of

graduation from a chosen college, as

well as ultimate success in their chosen

field of work.

Future Perspective

Moving forward, collaboration will

continue to be a hallmark of how ASM

operates. During the lockdown,

teachers were given more time online

to collaborate as they had to adapt a

curriculum designed for on campus

learning to an online model. "Since we

emerged from lockdown, we have

created more middle level leadership

positions and provided more grade

level and subject level meeting time

within the school schedule to allow for

cross pollination of ideas and putting

plans in place for supporting students,"

states the management.

Data informed instruction in the

school's teams has helped it respond to

where students are in their learning.

Targeted small groups have helped

ASM to support those who struggle as

well as enrich academic learning for

those who need it.

"Social emotional learning and support

of it in order to foster the dispositions

we think that our graduates will need

to be successful in our uncertain world

are now integrated into our school

programmes," the management

expresses. ASM has committed to

professional development for all its

upper school teachers in integrating the

skills and dispositions of collaboration, communication,

self-management, and thinking skills. This is because, it

believes that the students will leave the school with those

dispositions and attitudes equipped to be lifelong learners

rather than masters of specific content.

Marching ahead in these uncertain times, ASM will be a

nimble, collaborative, data informed, and socially

supportive community of learners.

Developing Caring,

Inquisitive, Well-Rounded

Individuals

An internationally focused

curriculum which helps to

ignite the students’ curiosity,

small class sizes for equal development

of every student, and lush green

environment consisting of vineyards,

olive groves, and gardening plots.

These are some of the numerous

facilities provided by Castelli

International School (CIS), which

makes it a sought-after destination for

educational excellence.

Established in 1977 and situated at

Grottaferrata, Rome, Italy, the school

provides a challenging, well-rounded,

and international curriculum. It allows

the students to think critically, develop

research skills, and experience

collaborative learning. CIS was the

first bilingual school to integrate Italian

with the Anglo-Saxon approach to

education, including the hands-on

approach to teaching to ignite the

students’ curious minds. Its campus is

nestled in the vineyard-speckled hills

of the Castelli Romani with a breathtaking

view of Rome in the distance.

The vicinity to Rome and its ancient

monuments, the Appian Way is just a

10-minute drive from the school,

which allows for fascinating school

trips at the doorstep.

The school has great facilities, which

include outdoor classrooms, a library, a

computer suite, garden plots, an

educational greenhouse, two AstroTurf

football fields, and a multi-purpose

court for volleyball, basketball, and

tennis. The family atmosphere, small

classes, a pleasant country

environment and the school’s hands-on

approach is clearly expressed in the

Chinese proverb:

When I hear, I forget.

January 2022 | 16 | www.theknowledgereview.com

Our faculty takes a creative

approach to teaching, while encouraging

collaborative learning.

When I see, I remember.

When I do, I understand.

Prioritizing Academic Excellence

Academic progress is of paramount

importance at CIS. However, that does

not mean that it is slavishly ploughing

its way through one textbook after

another. For the school, it means

combining all the things together that

make it wonderful to be human—

sport, music, drama, art—and

integrating them throughout the

programmes that it delivers. CIS’s

results demonstrate what an effective

way this is to achieve its course

objectives and learning outcomes.

A Caring Educator

Marianne Palladino, also known as

Ms P, is the Head of School. She does

not believe in textbooks but

acknowledges that they have a place in

the classroom. In her opinion, learning

should never be restricted to bookish

content. Back in the 70s, when Ms P

was teaching out of her kitchen and

garden, she developed a creative,

down-to-earth approach to education.

This approach, along with her deep

connection to the natural world, infuses

and enthuses everyone in the school

community. Her deep understanding of

education encourages staff to regularly

break the mould and take a ‘why not’

approach.

Ms P understands children with

exceptional accuracy. Her advocacy for

those pupils who find things harder

means that every child is lifted to reach

their full potential. She ensures that

that their difference is celebrated, and

everyone plays to their strengths.

www.theknowledgereview.com | 17 | January 2022


Under Ms P’s guidance, when the

students graduate from CIS, they enter

the world with a sense of confidence

and success. The love and respect that

successive student bodies have held for

her is palpable, and her passion for

education and deep respect for the

environment makes her a celebrated

educator.

Beyond Traditional Teachings

CIS’s classrooms are normally full of

expectant children at the end of each

day, awaiting whatever after-school

club they have chosen to partake in.

There are clubs for football, dance,

athletics, piano, percussion, drums, and

tennis, to name just a few. The school

is also very active in the inter-school

sports arena, regularly competing and

doing extremely well, particularly in

football events. Socially, the school has

a very active and enthusiastic parents’

association, which organises events

such as the annual sports day and

Halloween party. Drama also plays a

central role in the school, with

numerous performances to entertain all

throughout the year, but particularly at

the end of the winter and summer

terms.

Achievements Galore

CIS is not only renowned for its

excellent curricular and extracurricular

activities but is also known

for the major accomplishments that it

has made throughout its impressive

tenure. Aside from participating

successfully in BIEA (British

International Education Association)

rd

competition (3 runner up 2021), the

IMUN (Italy Model United Nations),

and attending the HMUN (Harvard

Model United Nations) for 19

consecutive years, the school does not

look for accolades or awards.

However, the most rewarding

achievement for CIS is when former

students enrol their children or when

the most difficult students come back

and say thank you. This school is

constantly focused on innovation and

creation with the child/student in the

centre.

The Pandemic Dynamic

The advent of the COVID-19

pandemic impacted the smooth

functioning of CIS. However, its most

important priority from the outset was

to ensure that the students’ academic

progress should not be adversely

affected by the various lockdowns.

That resulted in the remarkably swift

organisation of an online platform and

the upgrading of teachers’

technological skills to deliver a full

programme of lessons throughout the

school. A key motivating factor in

delivering such a comprehensive

programme so quickly was to help

ensure that CIS was helping not only

its students, but their families. Families

were under huge pressure and needed

the school to provide a stable daily

structure for their children. Upon

pupils’ return to school, significant

measures were taken to ensure the

safety of all in the community.

Education about hygiene standards and

the insistence upon their

implementation were of paramount

importance and helped to ensure that

the school didn’t have a single case of

COVID-19 transmission within the

school. “We are also fortunate to have

beautiful school grounds and numerous

outdoor classroom spaces, so the

students can learn and have lessons

outdoors,” shares the management.

Career Opportunities and Exposures

CIS always focuses on training every

student properly so that they can

succeed in their endeavours and build

bright careers. No matter what

problems the child/student may face

the school authorities never

discourage, but always encourage and

We lead our

pupils on a voyage

of discovery.


try to find what really interests her/him

and what they are good at doing. Once

discovered, it develops that part in

them and through this interaction, they

become more confident. Upon reaching

there, the students are led into

academic subjects, by having them role

play, create presentations, and share

their achievements with their peers.

This proactive approach makes the

student more involved and interested.

Students thrive by finding ways to

experience and learn more by risking,

taking up challenges, and discovering

for themselves how to overcome

obstacles.

Stepping towards the Future

Team CIS believes that in the future,

things would not be ‘normal’ or

‘regular’ based on exams, tests, and

numerical grades. In this perspective,

teachers will have to play the role of

facilitators and discover the student’s

strengths and talents. They will have to

work together with the students on the

weak areas that can be strengthened.

The management believes that the

spirit should not be competitive but

collaborative where students help each

other to innovate and explore new

fields of knowledge to adapt to the

ever-changing conditions in this

climate driven earth.

Eight

CHARACTERISTICS

OF A

Great

INTERNATIONAL

SCHOOL

ducation encompasses many

Eforms. It is at the heart of

human development and

shapes the socio-economic landscape

we live in today. Whether you are a

parent, a student, or an educator,

education is something each one of us

cares about deeply. This is why, it's so

important to choose a suitable form of

education for your child. As you begin

your search for an international school

near your home, allow us to educate

you about some key characteristics that

define a great school:

Academic Excellence

Instilling students with skills like those

often used to create innovators and

leaders, a well-respected international

curriculum is a deciding factor in

choosing an international school.



BEYOND BOUNDARIES

Many parents choose to send their

children to an international school so

that they can receive a high-quality

education. One of the reasons parents

are so quick to select an international

school over the school district in their

child's home country is the curriculum

used to educate their children. The

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Programme is a rigorous and highly

respected programme designed for

students from around the world to

challenge their minds.

Global Educational Networks

Many programs provide a way for

students to connect with others locally

or across the world – these are

typically well-coordinated, supporting

a broader perspective and showing kids

that they are not alone in their

experience.

Students connect with others both

locally and globally through the

network of global connectedness. The

school's participation in global affairs,

the global partnerships, and

interscholastic exchange programs

create a truly international community

within the campus.

Local Partnerships

Partnering with local businesses and

organizations to bring your students

health, wellness, and community-based

experiences have never been easier or

more affordable. Partnering with a

knowledgeable partner can open new

doors for your school and help you get

students directly connected to their

community.

Local partnerships are essential for

providing students with options and

experiences they won't get at the

school they attend. Schools that have

connections with local businesses can

offer special classes, volunteer work,

sports teams, and more!

Commitment To Local Community

A well-rounded community is one with

access to multiple points of service,

such as health clinics, schools, and

parks. Having this access has proven to

help local communities thrive. A great

way to build a thriving community is

by creating public schools that are

contributing to the local economy in

more ways than one.

A commitment to the community helps

guide students in their daily lives and

gives them a place in their community

where they feel inspired to use their

voice for the greater good.

Personalized Learning

The need to find new and innovative

ways to tackle today's problems is

crucial. A personalized learning

curriculum, whereby a student's

interest is taken into account, is an

essential factor in supporting their

progression and success.

The classroom experience is being

redefined by personalized learning

programs where schools deliver a

curriculum to meet the needs of each

student. A personalized learning

curriculum is a set of experiences

designed to instill what you want your

students to learn and remember, and to

ensure they reach the standards and

benchmarks you've defined.

Excellent Facilities

Students at international schools come

from diverse backgrounds, cultures,

and traditions. That's why international

schools boast exceptional campuses

designed in such a way as to foster

interaction and collaboration. The best

examples of these campuses are

intentionally built to promote a sense

of community, excitement and energy

for learning, stimulating research and

creativity in students.

In addition to having top-notch

teaching programs and strong

associations with universities, language

schools, SAT Boards and other

institutions, the very design of their

facilities sets them apart as leaders in

international education.

World-Class Faculty

A great international school recruits

faculty both locally and around the

world to promote a diverse range of

values and live experiences. There is

growing global interest in international

schools, which is accountable for their

achievements. To remain competitive

on a global scale, it is crucial to recruit

faculty from various countries and

nationalities strategically.

Dedicated Support Systems

Students come to international schools

with a wide array of needs, and support

systems are in place to help students

succeed. Different students have

different needs, so when choosing an

international school for your child or

student, it is important that you carry

out adequate research into the available

support systems and services. The best

international schools have networks of

dedicated teachers, office

administrators, and other staff working

together to support each child.

International schools are an important

part of experiencing new cultures and

languages, learning about the world

around you, having unique

opportunities that differ from what is

available in your own country. These

schools help children become

independent thinkers who can adapt to

their surroundings, solve problems,

create differences. This type of

schooling is focused on community

involvement and working together for

a common goal.


Veteran's Insight

Enhancing Online

Classes

for Better

Academic

Outcomes

The present trend in the

education system shows a

rapid takeover of technology

in all its functions. If looked at the

right way, there is going to be a huge

disruption in the education industry,

which is evident even now. Then as

leaders how this should be utilized as

an effective change maker.

The leaders should take to upskill their

talents to utilize such trends with

technology to help the school culture,

to take up different shades of becoming

more engaging, meaningful, relevant,

inspiring and more so very transparent.

No doubt the new edtech trends will be

disruptive especially in India.

The huge population in India with its

rich diversity and culture in varied

degrees poses a sense of responsibility

on every individual as an academician

or educator to unlearn and relearn

“What teaching -learning is all about?”

The edtech trends has helped everyone

to combat the present challenges in

resorting to virtual learning platforms

with simple digital tools to high end

paid apps and tools. The next question

that arises is how to balance the

components of curriculum and

approaches with a new outlook?

As a leader or institution as a whole,

the ed-tech trends can be utilized to

strengthen the pillars of moving

towards becoming digital leaders. The

common areas which can be mobilized

to our benefits are Communication,

Public Relations, Branding, Student

Engagement and learning Professional

Development.

Few tips on enhancing online classes

for better academic outcomes:

• To some extent consider the online

classes too as a “real” course.

• Try to understand the types of

distractions for students who are

remotely attending the classes.

• Help students to figure out how

they can learn their best.

• Active participation of students

must be ensured.

• Help students create a regular study

space, pace and self-monitoring

strategies to understand what their

goals are in terms of learning

outcomes to be achieved.

• Both teacher and student need to

practice time management in terms

of preparation, Self-study, use of

resources.

• Use the greater degree of flexibility

that the online resources can

provide to increase the retention

rates of knowledge gained.

• The interactive online tools,

multimedia devices and apps can

also help to make the learning more

enjoyable.

• Online learning can help both the

students and teachers upskill their

digital literacy.

• Digital skill acquisition helps better

outcomes interms of creating better

opportunities in this era of digital

rule.

• If online, there is a scope for

flexible hours for both teaching and

learning.

• Teachers can teach from the

comfort of their own homes and

work outside routine class hours;

this provides an opportunity to

move away from the customized

learning hours and can be used for

other engaging activities of interest

by both the teachers and students.


• It just can be used to provide a

congenial comfortable learning

environment free from distractions.

There is no elaborate class room

scenario students enjoy this kind of

conducive environment more than a

traditional class room.

• Teachers can use such online

platforms to motivate otherwise shy

and reticent children feel more at

ease to participate in discussion and

course activities.

• Such collaborative learning beyond

school boundaries with students

across the Globe can help get many

views on the topic learnt.

• Employability rate with online

qualifications can be explored far

and wide.

• There can be multiple ways to learn

to go with learning Styles /

Inclusive Education.

• There are varied activities like

Games, Guided Design projects,

Pre-recorded lectures; power points

with voice-over, web conference,

nurture a community culture

reaching out to more people.

• The rural-urban divide can also be

narrowed down by sharing all

resources.

• Though socio cultural learning is

advocated much in any learning

system online learning is

improving. (Online students

continue to thrive too).

Experiencing the present transition for

more than a year, there is already a

pressing need felt on embracing the

digital transition with open arms.

Reflecting on reinventing and

redesigning the pedagogy with the aid

of right tools shall probably end up in

Becoming “Phygital” (Blend of

physical and digital)

1. Switching over to offline-online

integration

2. Developing Highly personalized

learning modules in favor of the

learner need will become the trend by

2025

This is the time to break the myth "One

size fits all" in the latest edtech

industry. Manifestation of technology

in everyday learning of students is

visibly seen and experienced. Hence

there is an utmost need to take care of

keeping the online education highly

engaging and experiential .This would

mean that as teachers constant up

skilling is a must to keep abreast of the

latest trends. With the NEP 2020

implementation guidelines in India

there is a lot of scope to bring in

effective governance of schools by all

educational leaders. Some of which

that can be looked into are:

R. Meenakshi

Director, VSKILL

Vels Group of Institutions

1. Promote social, intellectual and

voluntary activities

2. Share - enable sharing of human and

infrastructural resources

3. Efficient expedition and resourcing

for schools through building school

complexes

4. Twining/ pairing of one government

with one private school across the

country

5. Better of education across all levels

through connecting schools and shared

teachers and resources

No wonder, some of the above

mentioned edtech trends can definitely

bring in a new dimension and

definition to understand and grow with

technology for a better tomorrow.



DILIT

Educating Students to Ensure their Personal,

Intellectual, and Cultural Development

The most remarkable

international schools follow an

impressive curriculum that

encourages students to become

inquirers, thinkers, communicators,

and risk-takers. They ensure that no

student remains deprived of quality

education. These schools assist the

students to construct their own career

paths and become trendsetting

professionals of their respective

domains.

A school which follows a diversified

curriculum with the objective of

providing students with the best

educational facilities is Dilit

(Divulgazione Lingua Italiana). It

was founded by a small group of

young Italian teachers in 1974 and was

We assist

students to

realize their

dreams.


officially authorized by the Italian

Ministry of Education. It was one of

the first language schools in Italy to

teach Italian as a foreign language.

Throughout the years, it has become

one of the most prestigious Italian

language schools in the country, widely

appreciated for its innovative teaching

method.

The school, a five-storeyed Liberty

style villa, has 16 classrooms, a

cafeteria, two terraces,

and a nice little garden.

It employs 20 people,

of which 14 are fulltime

Italian teachers.

The school is situated

in the centre of Rome,

just a short walk from

the central railway

station and

conveniently placed for

transport to every area

of the city.

Prioritizing Students’

Learning

Dilit’s teaching method

is based on the

principle that each

student is seen as an

individual with specific

competencies and

needs. The teachers put

these competencies and

needs in play by

organising teaching

activities where the

student is seen as a

researcher of the

language and not

merely as a recipient of

information given by

the teacher. At the

same time,

considerable time is

spent on peer work

with a constant

exchange of ideas

among the students. This implies that

the course objectives and learning

outcomes are the natural results of a

process that involves all students in a

fruitful and constructive way.

The Forces which Steer Dilit

Behind the success of the school, there

is not a single person, but a group of

people who, with passion and

determination, have put in practice the

dream of creating a unique school with

the highest-level teaching quality and a

welcoming working and study

environment.

Over the years, it has achieved many

results: a research department has been

set up and in-house training has

become an integral part of teachers’

working hours. Textbooks have been

written; and the school conducts an

International Seminar for L2 teachers

every year where participants share

their experiences and experiment with

new teaching activities. Authorities

have created a teacher training

department, which trains over 5,000

people from all over the world.

The school has achieved quality marks

and has won numerous awards as the

best Italian language school. Over

70,000 students from all over the world

have populated the school’s courses,

becoming part of its rich history.

Erudite Leadership

The personality, under whose guidance

Dilit achieved noteworthy landmarks is

none other than Tiziana Di Dedda, the

Director. She has been associated with

the school for almost 50 years. She is a

very energetic professional who brings

positive vibes to the table. She has

great knowledge of the educational

sector and focuses on nurturing

students and transforming them into

able professionals of tomorrow.

Dilit’s Noble Mission

The school’s goal is to offer, in a multiethnic

and multicultural context, an

environment and atmosphere where

every student feels welcome and the

object of the care and attention of all

the school’s staff. With the support of a

constantly adjourned teaching

methodology, it wants to make sure


that the students experience their study

as an integral part of their personal,

intellectual, and cultural development.

All services and activities offered by

the school, from teaching to leisure

time activities and the accommodation

facilities, are aimed at the well-being

of each and every student.

Going Beyond the Curriculum

Apart from the Italian language

courses, the school offers a variety of

activities such as walks in the city to

visit Rome’s wonderful streets,

squares, fountains, archaeological sites,

historical buildings etc. as well as

seminars on Italian History of Art,

Home-Cooking, Opera, etc. Moreover,

it organises cocktail parties and

excursions outside the city. All these

activities offer the students an insight

into Italian culture and a great

opportunity to practice the language

outside the class and an opportunity to

socialise.

A Mountain of Achievements

Throughout its illustrious journey in

the education sector, Dilit has made

many noteworthy accomplishments. It

is a part of the International House

World Organization which includes

over 120 language schools in 20

countries all over the world. It is also a

member of IALC (International

Association of Language Centres) and

ASILS (Associazione Scuole d'Italiano

come Lingua Seconda). The school has

been the winner of several awards

promoted by renowned organizations

in the sector.

All services and

activities

offered by the

school, from

teaching to

leisure time

activities and

the

accommodation

ofce, are

aimed at the

well-being of

each and every

student.


It is also an examination centre for the

CELI examinations of Perugia

University and for CILS examinations

of Siena University. Furthermore, Dilit

is well-known and appreciated in Italy

and abroad for its Teacher Training

Department accredited by the Italian

Ministry of Education and for the

publication of course books and other

language teaching materials.

Facing the Pandemic Head-On

Prior to the emergence of the COVID-

19 pandemic, Dilit had already been

offering online courses. Obviously, the

demand for such courses increased

following travel restrictions in most

countries. As a result, the school has

reorganised its online structure and

now offers a wide variety of online

courses which deal not only with the

language but also with significant

aspects of Italian cultural and social

life.

As far as hygiene and safety

precautions are concerned, it follows

all the relative governmental

procedures addressed to the

educational sector. It administers the

measurement of the body’s temperature

when entering the school, the

mandatory wearing of a mask, the

frequent use of sanitiser for both hands

and furniture, and the respect of the

minimum distance of at least one

metre.

After the crisis caused by the Covid 19

pandemic and the subsequent reduction

in student numbers, the school has

come up with a new organizational

chart that optimises to the utmost the

skills and competencies of the teaching

and non-teaching staff. With this in

mind and an increase in the marketing

activities organised by the school, the

authorities aim to increase the

participation in study fairs,

international seminars, webinars etc.

Team Dilit hopes to reach

pre-pandemic numbers in a relatively

short time with the aim of increasing

its student intake by 25% in a couple of

years.

The Career Dynamic

Dilit’s primary objective is to improve

the language level of the students who

come to the school. With its methods,

it encourages students to ask questions,

to imagine what people are saying, and

to put their limited knowledge of the

language in use. In other words, Dilit

nurture students to be the protagonist

of their story rather than an observer.

The management believes that this

attitude could be beneficial in any

person’s career path.


CULTURE AND KNOWLEDGE


Understanding

THE

DYNAMICS

OF Culture-Based

EDUCATION

Culture is the way of living of a community that tries to

find different ways of living by adapting to one's

natural environment. It is a dynamic factor that has

been evolving as people constantly try to cope with the everchanging

world and its demands. Culture imparts values,

morals, and some practices upon which a particular group

agrees. Hence, it is more like the values and norms that people

follow in order to live within their societies.


It is increasingly becoming important

to study the culture of the state where

you are going to study abroad because

it will help you in understanding how

things work out there. Finding the best

universities and colleges out there is

primarily dependent on two factors −

academic excellence and cultural

values. With the immense popularity of

education in foreign countries, multiple

students go abroad every year for

pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or

higher education.

How Culture Influences

Culture influences how we see the

world, how we see the community we

live in, and how we communicate. It

also determines our learning and

behaving patterns. Therefore, it is

essential to understand the culture of a

specific community so as to be able to

teach and learn effectively.

In our ever-changing and increasingly

global society, learning styles and

strategies are rapidly diversifying in

order to adjust to new cultural

influences.

Importance of Culture-based

Education

Culture is the building structure of

one's personality. It is a conglomerate

of all traditions, norms, customs, and

patterns of behavior that are

transmitted from one generation to

another through learning and imitation.

Culture-based education is very

important in supporting students to be

successful learners around the globe as

it gives a holistic approach towards

gaining education in different countries

with different cultural backgrounds.

Diverse Backgrounds and Cultures

It may be hard to consider the benefits

of a curriculum that incorporates

different perspectives, especially when

you have children with diverse

backgrounds and cultures.

However, several benefits can be

derived from it. This is because faculty

who create such curriculums aim to

create an environment for students

where they can experience new

knowledge, beliefs, practices, and

attitudes that are different from their

own.

Learning from different perspectives

plays an important role in the students'

personal, academic and professional

lives. One of the best ways to learn

about a foreign perspective is by

studying diversity education in

schools.

The Ever-Increasing Role of

Teachers

In the era of globalization, teachers

have various mechanisms to encourage

the students in their learning process.

These days, many schools are

promoting bilingual education in such

a way that its curricula are taught in

two or more languages. Similarly,

when there is an increasing diversity in

class, it is not feasible for teachers to

handle all the students individually.

Therefore, teachers need to develop

creative ways and classroom practices

to help them interact with all students

without additional effort and time.

The Ever-Increasing Responsibilities

of Teachers

As a culturally responsive educator, it's

essential to recognize and develop the

full potential in each of the students.

This isn't something that can be

completed by simply ticking

compliance boxes and following a set

curriculum. It requires interaction

between the student and educator,

authentic engagement in their learning,

and ongoing assessment of their

progress.

Culturally responsive teachers need to

embrace the students' cultures,

languages, and backgrounds for

learning. They need to come up with

strategies for encouraging and

developing student participation, so

educational institutes can see what they

already know before moving on to new

concepts that they may not have

encountered yet.

Understanding Students' Culture

and Heritage

Schools are responsible for developing

a nurturing environment that empowers

students with the right values and

skills, encouraging them to participate

in team-building activities which

promote their individuality. Teambuilding

activities allow students to

develop an identity. Learning about

each other certainly assists with that by

showing that they share the same

language and heritage while also

strengthening their identity in society.

A Culturally Responsive Classroom

A culturally responsive classroom

environment is one where students feel

respected and safe to learn, grow and

develop. It is a place where they

develop a sense of pride and selfesteem.

The classroom has been

regarded as a microcosm of society

where the diversity in the school

population mirrors that of society.

Culture-based education is defined as

the role of education in developing an

individual's cultural identity and the

socialization of an individual within a

given culture. In a broader sense, it

encompasses patterns of thought,

values, norms and practices that show

how the society interacts with

individuals for socialization and the

development of the culture.


5 Best International Schools in Italy, 2022

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