The demand for an international education has grown phenomenally over the last few years, and the rise in student numbers in international schools today is attributed to the recognition by parents that an international education is a viable option for their children.
One of the main advantages of an international education is the use of the English language as the medium of instruction. Good English skills are necessary for tertiary education and will most certainly improve employment prospects for graduates.
Other advantages of an international education include the benchmarking of international curricula against global standards which ensure progressive development of the curriculum to meet changing needs. International schools also provide opportunities for students to develop their talents in other areas through extracurricular activities such as music, drama, art and sports among others. An international education aims to develop students into all-rounders so the emphasis goes beyond academic accomplishments only.
International schools also integrate the use of technology in the classroom which prepares students at a younger age to develop strong technological skills that would be useful in their tertiary education or career. The incorporation of technology also enables mobile learning besides educating students about responsible digital citizenship. In addition, the diverse student population at international schools also foster in students an appreciation of cultural and individual differences.
With more than 100 international schools in Malaysia offering different curricula and a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities, it is important for parents who are interested in sending their children to international schools to spend the necessary time and effort to find the right schools for their children. In order to help parents in the process of finding the right school, Mint Communications initiated the first Private & International School Fair series in 2012. These fairs serve as a platform for parents to find out more about international education and its benefits from educational experts themselves. The fair has since attracted a growing number of international schools, preschools, learning centres, as well as parents every year.
The next Private & International School Fair will be held on 25-26 July 2015 at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre. This is the 5th fair in Kuala Lumpur. In addition to fairs in Kuala Lumpur, there are also satellite fairs in Johor and Penang where there are many international schools, and a growing expatriate community.
According to Nickie Yew, co-founder and director of Mint Communications, “The fair serves an important need – for parents in their process of finding a suitable school for their children, and for schools to reach out with the right information to parents. Ultimately, we want the best education experience for the child.”
A key advantage of visiting the upcoming July fair is that parents get to meet and speak to principals and head teachers from international schools that are exhibiting. There will also be talks on international curricula and how to choose a school during the two-day event. Visitors will also be able to get the latest 2015/2016 edition of the Education Destination Malaysia, a comprehensive guidebook that incorporates the full spectrum of international schools in Malaysia as well as instructional articles by educational experts.
Admission is free. Visitors who register at www.pisf.asia before the fair will gain instant access in the fair in addition to a complimentary goody bag and a chance to win prizes from Faber-Castell.
For the complete list of exhibitors, please visit www.PrivateInternationalSchoolFair.com Event details at a glance: 5th Private & International School Fair in Kuala Lumpur Date : 25 – 26 July 2015 (Saturday & Sunday) Time : 11.00am – 6.00pm Venue : Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Hall 3
