School Internationalization: Building Global Competencies

Description

Despite the growing expectation that schools provide opportunities for global engagement and international perspectives, many school leaders find it difficult to build partnerships and incorporate global learning into their curricula.  

This course will assist participants in developing strategic plans for internationalization, particularly with respect to partnerships in Europe and embedding international viewpoints and practices in school contexts.   

Participants will learn how to boost their school’s global profile through Erasmus+ projects, develop international partnerships, and create meaningful opportunities for student and staff exchanges.  

This course includes hands-on activities that will help leaders come up with strategies for internationalization and find funding opportunities that are right for them.   

After this experience, participants will be ready to lead their schools toward a more global view, build international partnerships, and form educational communities that are open to everyone and connected to the world. 

Concept by Veerle Ponnet

Learning outcomes

The course will help participants to:

• Understand the importance of internationalization:
  • Learn how to position their schools as globally connected institutions;
  • Understand the value of international partnerships in education.
• Develop an internationalization strategy:
  • Gain the tools to develop a strategic plan for internationalizing their school’s curriculum and activities;
  • Learn how to incorporate global perspectives into all aspects of school leadership.
• Maximise Erasmus+ opportunities:
  • Understand how to use Erasmus+ funding and programs to support internationalization initiatives;
  • Learn the logistics of creating partnerships with schools abroad and integrating exchange programs.
• Enhance global competence in students and staff:
  • Learn how to develop global competencies in students and staff, including language skills, intercultural understanding, and global citizenship.
  • Explore practical strategies for embedding global learning across subjects.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Internationalisation in schools: strategies and partnerships

(Wednesday afternoon)

• Overview of the course objectives, schedule, and expectations;
• The importance of internationalization in schools;
• Why internationalization is crucial for schools and how it benefits students and staff;
• Building international partnerships;
• Integrating international perspectives into the curriculum;
• Exploring Erasmus+ and international funding opportunities;
• Guided cultural tour of Brussels.

Day 2 – Planning, global competence, and school engagement

(Thursday morning)

• Developing an internationalization strategy;
• Step-by-step guidance on creating a strategic plan for school internationalization;
• Incorporating global competence in students and staff;
• Practical strategies to engage students and staff in global learning opportunities;
• Logistics of exchange programs and international collaborations;
• Promoting internationalization in your school community.

Day 3 – Action planning and course closure

(Friday morning)

• Action planning for internationalization;
• Participants finalize their strategic internationalization plans, with peer feedback;
• Review of the key takeaways from the course;
• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
• Excursion and other external cultural activities.

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