11 Tips for a Successful Scholarship Interview

Apr 14, 2023

If you have applied for a scholarship, you may be invited to an interview as part of the application process. Being selected for an interview proves that the scholarship committee was impressed with your application, it piqued their curiosity, and they want to know more about your interests, ideas, and aspirations. This final, crucial step is the opportunity to demonstrate you are an eligible candidate.

How We Develop Excellent Communication Skills

Apr 14, 2023

At the Western International School of Shanghai, we integrate the Approaches to Learning (ATLs) within the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and focus on the transdisciplinary development of Thinking, Social, Self-Management, Research, and Communication skills.

Our pedagogical approaches allow teaching teams to plan naturally to develop all aspects of these, both within daily routines and structured learning engagements. Developing communication skills requires focusing on listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and presenting as children grow and develop.

Top Awards at Shanghai Students Film Festival

Apr 3, 2023

Lights, Camera, Action: Celebrating the Best of the Best at the Shanghai Students Film Festival.

The Shanghai Students Film Festival is one of the year's most anticipated events for student filmmakers in China. The festival, organized by Mr. Simon Jackson, WISS’s talented Head of Visual and Creative Arts, celebrates the best student films produced by the most talented young filmmakers nationwide, providing a platform for up-and-coming artists to showcase their talents work and network with industry professionals.

Now in its 16th year, the Shanghai Student Film Festival (S2F2) symbolizes creativity, innovation, and hope for the future. Every year the students’ work becomes more professional and groundbreaking, often going on to win awards in far larger international festivals. The festival brings together talents from international schools across China who compete through various film challenges.

Enrichment Week at WISS

Apr 3, 2023

As a learning community, the Western International School of Shanghai shares the responsibility to help students achieve their academic goals, such as gaining their high school diploma or receiving those anticipated offer letters from top universities.

Ultimately, we aim to prepare students for life after WISS—for life outside of the classroom and experiences in the real world. The approaches to learning cultivated at WISS include social skills, critical thinking skills, communication skills, research skills, and self-management skills.These skills are relevant far beyond the confines of the IB Diploma or Career-Related Programmes and WISS itself. The time spent at school on these activities is just as crucial as the knowledge of mathematical equations and chemical reactions.

The pleasure of reading | How to motivate our children to read?

Mar 24, 2023

We have recently celebrated Book Week at WISS. As every year, our students have been able to see and acquire new books to read at home. But, what if my son doesn't like to read… what can I do?

Getting a child to read on their own initiative is one of the most difficult challenges that adult readers have. Electronic devices (mobile phones, tablets, computers) are currently helping to make reading an increasingly difficult activity.

Reading, and especially reading comprehension, is a basic tool for the acquisition of increasingly complex learning. Reading comprehensively facilitates the organization of thought, favors a better understanding of reality and contributes to the management of emotions and behavior.

WISS Launches Series of University Fairs

Mar 23, 2023

The Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) has a unique responsibility to prepare our students for success in a globalized world. One of the ways that we do this is by hosting university fairs, which provide an opportunity for students to learn about different higher education institutions and further explore potential academic and career paths.

The benefits of hosting university fairs are vast and varied. These fairs allow students to gain exposure to various universities worldwide. This is particularly important for our internationally diverse student community, as many of our students are interested in pursuing higher education opportunities outside their home country. Through hosting university fairs, students can connect with representatives from institutions and learn about programs and offerings tailored to their interests and aspirations.

WISS Inspires Greatness and Innovation

Mar 9, 2023

The MYP Personal Project is an essential part of the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, research, and problem-solving skills that they have acquired during their studies. It encourages students to take ownership of their learning, allowing them to pursue an individual investigation on a topic that interests them. During the project, students should use the MYP's key skills to develop a product or outcome that showcases their understanding of the topic.

This could be a physical object such as a model, a digital resource such as a video, or a written work such as an essay or report. The goal of the MYP Personal Project is to provide a meaningful and challenging learning experience for students, helping them to develop essential critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills in an enjoyable and engaging way.

WISS Learning Environments Unlock Student Potential

Mar 3, 2023

Educators often refer to the Learning Environment as the Third Teacher. This is evidence of the importance schools place on considering how the environment they create supports learning and teaching.

The learning environment in a school is vital to student's success, both in the classroom and beyond. Schools that implement effective learning environments help foster a sense of belonging, respect, and confidence. A positive learning environment allows students to feel comfortable and safe and focus on their studies. It also helps create an engaging atmosphere for teachers and students, encouraging collaboration, communication, and respect for one another.