The courses offered by Kingston International School for international students primarily include bridging programmes in English language and Mathematics. Our courses are especially designed for foreign students who have minimal or no foundation in English but wish to be admitted into Singapore’s mainstream government schools. For example, foreign students who wish to study engineering courses in Germany and France must first complete foundation language courses in German and French respectively. Likewise, in Singapore, students who have a very minimal foundation in English may find it very daunting if they are directly admitted into the rigorous curriculum of local schools. The language medium of most of the subjects is English language.
As such, Kingston International School offers quality and intensive bridging programmes which provide enhanced scaffolding for foreign students, so that their adaptation and transition process to the local curriculum is smoother and more optimal. Based on our observations of past batches of foreign students, most have already acquired basic skills in Mathematics and Sciences. However, their only handicap is English, which is a major barrier for them to pass their overall examinations. This is really a pity, especially when some students would consequently feel demoralized and their self esteem is affected.
At Kingston, we aim to help foreign students to negotiate with the rigorous demands of the Singapore curriculum so that they can assimilate into the local school culture smoothly and that they do not regret their decision to come to Singapore to further their studies.
Our teachers at Kingston put in their very best to help students gain more confidence in learning and mastering the basics of English and Mathematics – in fact, solutions to Mathematics problems in Singapore require students’ basic competence in English. We recruit only the best teachers who have a passion in teaching and are able to teach effectively. Our recruitment process of teachers does not only consist of interviews, but also a teaching demonstration by the teacher-applicants using worksheets designed for Kingston’s students. We believe a good teacher does not only possess knowledge, but is also able to deliver concepts simply, clearly and effectively, especially to our students who have very minimal command of English.
At Kingston, students’ interests and learning results are always our top priorities. We aim to produce tangible results so that our students and parents continue to have faith and trust in us to deliver quality teaching and learning. Every plan we undertake and every action we take at Kingston revolve around the humanistic education core, “Does it benefit our students?” If our students do not benefit, we would do anything for the sake of doing or showcasing. We value substance. In essence, we want our students at Kingston to learn something which they can take away with them every day and every time they step out of the doors of Kingston.
One interesting part of our English curriculum is to master letter writing in English. Part of the exercise requires our students to write letters in English to their parents, families, friends back home at least once every month. Many students look forward to this exercise, as it is not only a chance for them to demonstrate what they have learned, but also a chance for them to catch up with their loved ones in English. Parents have also indicated that they look forward to receiving these letters. Even though they do not understand fully the content written in English, they appreciate the thought and they feel reassured that their children are learning and making progress in English as the months go by. Their investments have yielded some observable results.
With the trust and faith of foreign students and their parents in the world-class branding and substance of Singapore’s education, we at Kingston aim to provide students with a passport of confidence and knowledge to enter and explore this Eden of education at ease and freely. Hence our vision is to let every student of Kingston have a passport to a world-class education. Our students may not stay in Singapore after they graduation, but the training they receive at Kingston will enable them to go wherever they are. To attain this vision, we first have to deliver our mission of developing every of our students’ potential and optimizing every of their performance.
With our team of committed teachers, we believe we are not too far from our vision and mission. We will continue to deliver our promise.
