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A girl from the primary class waving two national flags.

Promoting Cultural Awareness at Tessa International School

October 23, 2024/in Teaching and Learning /by Tessa School

A critical part of helping our students become caring and happy world citizens is guiding them to understand and respect different cultures. Compared to local schools which often reflect a more homogenous cultural environment, we, as an international school, immerse students in a naturally diverse community where they experience a wide variety of cultural perspectives daily. By prioritizing cultural awareness, we prevent children from believing generalizations or stereotypes associated with a particular race, gender, or ethnicity. Instead, an appreciation for their own and others’ cultural differences is promoted from early childhood.

“At Tessa, children are introduced to other languages and cultures in order to enhance their cultural awareness; they are bilingual and culturally adaptable.”
– The Mission Statement of Tessa International School.

A diverse group of students from various races, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds collaborating in a classroom at Tessa International School.

Cultural awareness is fundamental to providing a uplifting learning environment for all students.

A Multicultural Community

As of September, 2024, more than 60 different cultures are represented within our Tessa Community. This multicultural environment provides students with firsthand opportunities to experience diverse perspectives and practices. Children engage in collaborative projects with peers from various backgrounds, smoothly cultivating mutual respect and open-mindedness across national boundaries.

To ensure a multicultural education that is responsive to all students, our teachers are all highly credentialed native speakers of English, French, Mandarin or Spanish, who bring a wealth of expertise and experience in their respective fields, and cultural knowledge to their teaching. This ensures that our students receive the highest quality bilingual education. Together, we create a collaborative and supportive community that develops all members a profound sense of belonging and appreciation for the richness that diversity brings.

A world map shown over 60 cultures represented at Tessa

Our school community reflects a specturm of diversity and inclusion.

A School Life Full of Cultural Celebrations

Due to the international nature of our school community, cultural awareness thrives through our celebrations and festivals, which are significant components of our vibrant school life. These events are more than fun activities; they manifest emotions, traditions, and knowledge, all of which are essential to our students’ understanding of the global world.

Throughout the year, we celebrate events such as Hispanic Heritage Month, Lunar New Year, and Fête de la Musique – connected to our Spanish, Mandarin, and French bilingual programs for students to apply their targeted languages in real-life contexts – along with a range of other cultural traditions. These celebrations immerse our students in different cultures with interactive opportunities, whether enjoying traditional dishes, performing cultural dances, or directly communicating with guest speakers from specific cultures. Celebrations not only spark curiosity about different ideas, beliefs, and values but also inspire deeper cultural exchanges.

We always welcome parents to volunteer in organizing or/and supporting school events to share their cultural legacies across generations. By participating in and learning about traditions, students deepen their appreciation for how cultural diversity enriches our shared experiences.

You can check our upcoming school events here.

To celebrate the UN Day, a class of primary students at Tessa wearing their cultural outfits and holding up a poster that says "together in the world" in Spanish.

At Tessa, children are introduced to other languages and cultures to enhance their cultural awareness.

An Integrated International Curriculum

To provide students with both academic excellence and a global perspective, we offer an exceptional education based on international best practices. On a closer look, Tessa International School holds three premier global accreditations as a testament of our commitment to academic excellence:

International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP)
French Ministry of Education for our Maternelle program (Preschool to Kindergarten)
Cognia for our Preschool, Kindergarten, and Primary School Programs

Our globally recognized programs, with a focus on bilingualism, enable a seamless transition into other accredited institutions worldwide and a strong pathway towards higher education, facilitating their global mobility and fostering their continued success.

Multicultural understanding is a valuable asset for children, helping them build greater self-esteem and form successful personal and professional relationships in different settings. From our multicultural community full of dynamic celebrations to worldwide recognized international curriculum, we prepare students not only to achieve academic competence but also to engage with the world as open-minded, culturally aware citizens.

FAQs

Q: Why should we foster children’s cultural awareness?

Fostering cultural awareness in children helps them become more empathetic, adaptable, and open-minded individuals. In an increasingly interconnected world, it is vital for children to appreciate and respect differences. By developing an understanding of various cultures early on, they grow into adults who are better equipped to collaborate across cultural lines, reducing prejudices, gaining global competency, and creating a more inclusive world.

Q: How does Tessa International School promote students’ cultural awareness?

At Tessa International School, fostering cultural awareness is inherent in both our curriculum and daily school life. Accredited by the IBO and the French Ministry of Education, we integrate international best practices into our bilingual curriculum to ensure a globally recognized, high-quality education. This approach equips students with a broad perspective, helping them develop an understanding of different cultures while gaining academic excellence. Additionally, our community represents over 60 different cultures, allowing students to engage with peers from around the world and learn about different perspectives firsthand. A wide variety of cultural festivals and holidays are honored and celebrated, offering students a rich tapestry of global traditions, stories, and customs that enhance their appreciation for diversity.

Q: What role do parents play in promoting cultural awareness?

A: Parents play a crucial role in fostering children’s cultural awareness as the primary role models who demonstrate open-mindedness and respect for diversity. By engaging in discussions about different traditions, values, and perspectives at home, parents can help children see the world through a broader lens. At Tessa International School, we encourage parents to actively participate in our cultural celebrations and festivals to show parental engagement in students’ learning journey and help us create an inclusive community. Moreover, supporting bilingual education also fuels children’s understanding of diverse cultures, making them more cultural aware and knowledgeable citizens.

Are you ready to explore the only international leading private school in Hoboken?

Contact Tessa International School to learn more!

A parent engages in his son's sharing of his learning in IB PYP.

How to Support Your Child as An IB PYP Parent

October 9, 2024/in International Baccalaureate, Parenting /by Tessa School

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous educational curricula worldwide, designed to develop “inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help create a better, more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect” (International Baccalaureate Organization, or IBO). While it offers significant benefits, it’s natural for parents to feel uncertain about what it involves and how to best support their child, especially in the early stages of the IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), when children are just starting to explore how they learn. So, how can caregivers support their child’s exciting and rewarding educational journey?

As a PYP parent, there are multiple specific ways you can support your child.

IB PYP at A Glance

IB PYP nurtures and develops young students, aged 3-12, as caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning. This Programme focuses a student-centered approach, with its framework emphasizing the central principle of agency, which underpins the three pillars of school life:

the learner
learning and teaching
the learning community.

Embedded within this framework is the recognition of the importance of fostering an individual’s self-efficacy. Students with a strong sense of self-efficacy are active participants in their own learning and take meaningful action within their learning community.

5 Tips to Support Your Child as A Learning Partner

As essential members of their child’s learning community, IB PYP parents play a key role in helping them deepen their learning. Here are five accessible ways, shared by the IBO, for parents to support their child’s learning at home. If you’re wondering how to better assist your child, these strategies will help you guide them in becoming lifelong learners, whether through formal learning connected to school or through incidental, unplanned learning from play, exploration, and life experiences.

Take an inquiry stance. Parents are primary role models of their children, so your attitudes and positions can radically transform how children engage with the world. Instead of providing immediate answers to your child’s questions, encourage curiosity by responding with open-ended questions like, “What do you notice?” or “How might we explore that further?” This approach not only fosters critical thinking but also reinforces the value of inquiry-based learning through shared discovery.
Support your child’s agency. Empower your child by involving them in decision-making and encouraging their self-expression. Create time and space for their independent discoveries, and hold back from giving too many suggestions. By supporting their choices and emphasizing personal responsibility in their learning, you nurture children’s independence and self-confidence.
Support conceptual understanding. This notion is at the heart of IB PYP, where learning occurs through concept-driven Units of Inquiry within a transdisciplinary framework. During the Inquiry Learning Cycle, consider asking questions such as “What strategy did you use?” and “How and why did you do that?” These questions value their approach to the answers, encouraging children to articulate their reasoning and remain actively engaged in learning. More importantly, this process promotes them to connect ideas across disciplines and subjects, fostering a richer and more meaningful understanding of abstract concepts.
Prioritize reflection. Being reflective is one of the core attributes of the IB Learner Profiles, helping individuals become responsible members of communities. By encouraging children to think about their own thinking, you can help them develop metacognitive abilities and facilitate higher order thinking, including application, analysis, evaluation, and creation.
Give feedback that goes beyond the moment. Comparing questions like “How are you doing?” with “What might come next? ”, you will find that the former may result in less thoughtful and forward-looking responses, while the latter shifts the focus from immediate, isolated outcomes to continuous learning. Whether during Student-Led Conferences or everyday learning moments, it is beneficial for parents to guide their children toward long-term growth and future inquiry.

IB PYP at Tessa International School

Tessa is proud to be an IB World School offering the PYP to students aged 2 to 10. Following its transdisciplinary framework, excellence spans across Science, Social Studies, Language and Literacy, Math, Arts, Social-Emotional Learning, and Physical Education, all while nurturing a lifelong love of learning in our students.

As an international school offering bilingual education, the robust French National, Spanish, and Chinese Curricula as well as the US Standards are seamlessly integrated into our IB PYP Framework, formulating our distinctive educational approach. Students actively engage with dynamic unit topics through an immersive language experience grounded in real-life situations.

Are you ready to explore the only international leading private school in Hoboken?

Contact Tessa International School to learn more!

A student attending one of the top Hoboken private schools sitting in a classroom

Importance of Language Development in Early Childhood

September 19, 2024/in Language Learning /by Tessa School

Why is language important for children’s learning? Language development is one of the most critical aspects of early childhood education, serving as the foundation for all future learning.

At Tessa International School, we understand that fostering strong language skills in young children goes beyond just teaching them to speak. It’s about providing them the tools to explore, understand, and interact with the world around them. Let’s explore why language is so important for children’s learning together.

Why Is Language Important for Children’s Learning

Language plays a crucial role in a child’s cognitive development from the earliest years. Why are language skills important for children? Through language, children learn to express their thoughts, needs, and emotions.

How does language influence child development? Language plays a crucial role in child development by shaping cognitive abilities, enhancing communication skills, and supporting social interactions. Together, these contribute to better problem-solving, critical thinking, and overall learning.

At Tessa International School, we understand that strong language skills are essential for academic success. Whether children learn to solve mathematical problems, understand scientific concepts, or appreciate the arts, their ability to use and comprehend language enhances their learning experience. By focusing on language development from an early age, we help children build the skills they need to excel in all areas of their education.

A group of students attending one of the top Hoboken private schools reading

We recognize the power of language at our Spanish, Mandarin, and French international school.

The Role of Early Language Development in Social and Emotional Growth

Why is language important for children’s learning beyond academics? Early language development is crucial for a child’s social and emotional growth. Language allows children to form relationships, express their feelings, and navigate social situations. When children can communicate effectively, they are more likely to form positive relationships with their peers and teachers, boosting their confidence and self-esteem.

At Tessa International School, we emphasize the importance of oral and written expression in helping children develop these critical social and emotional skills. Our curriculum is designed to provide ample opportunities for children to practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing. By encouraging children to express themselves in various ways, we help them develop a strong sense of identity and self-awareness.

How Tessa International School Supports Language Development

At Tessa International School, language development is integrated into every part of our curriculum. Whether students explore art, math, or the world around them, they enhance their language skills through activities that promote communication and group discussions.

Our Spanish, Mandarin, and French international school emphasizes early bilingual exposure, recognizing the cognitive benefits of multilingualism, such as improved memory, spatial awareness, and cognitive flexibility. Daily immersion helps students build the confidence and skills to become proficient bilingual speakers, preparing them to thrive as global citizens in a connected world.

Student attending one of the top Hoboken private schools working with a teacher

Expose your child to the many benefits of multilingualism at Tessa.

Investing in Your Child’s Future

The early years of a child’s life are a critical period for language development. That said, there are many reasons to choose an international school for your child. By choosing Tessa International School, you give your child the best possible start in their educational journey. Our focus on language development ensures that your child will be well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, both academically and socially.

At Tessa International School, we are committed to helping each child reach their full potential by providing a rich and supportive environment where language development is a key focus. We invite you to learn more about our programs and how we can help your child thrive in their early years and beyond.

Are you ready to enroll your child in one of the leading Hoboken private schools?

Contact Tessa International School to learn more!

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why are language skills important for children?

Answer: It is through language that children learn to express their thoughts, needs, and emotions.

Question: How does language influence child development?

Answer: Language plays a crucial role in child development by shaping cognitive abilities, enhancing communication skills, supporting social interactions, and contributing to better problem-solving, critical thinking, and overall learning.

An international school student smiling while drawing during an art activity

Why Opting for an International School Will Transform Your Child’s Future

May 24, 2024/in Parenting /by Tessa School

At Tessa International School, we understand that choosing your child’s educational path is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. Education is about acquiring knowledge that shapes a child’s future and prepares them for the complexities of the modern world. For this reason, there are many great reasons to choose an international school.

Opting for an international school offers unique academic benefits that can profoundly transform your child’s future. What defines an international school? They are educational institutions that provide students with a globalized learning experience through multiple languages, cultural immersion, and curriculums that promote global citizenship.

At Tessa International School, our distinctive educational approach nurtures bilingualism while seamlessly blending the globally acclaimed IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) Framework with the robust French National Curriculum and US Standards. This fusion, alongside our Spanish and Mandarin tracks, creates a holistic and dynamic learning environment that equips students with the skills and competencies they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

Bilingualism and Immersive Language Learning

What is the point of an international school? One key advantage of an international school education at Tessa International School is the emphasis on bilingualism. In today’s interconnected world, the ability to communicate in multiple languages is a valuable asset.

Our unique approach enhances language proficiency while fostering a deep appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. Benefits of international education are well known and established, for example, bilingualism has been shown to improve cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving and multitasking.

Students at our international school experience a rich, multilingual environment where they are encouraged to think, explore, and communicate in English in addition to a choice of French, Mandarin, or Spanish. This immersive approach ensures that language learning is natural and effective. Though language learning is a major benefit, there are other compelling reasons to choose an international school.

A pair of international school students doing a science experiment at a table

Students at our international school benefit from multilingualism and cultural immersion

The Comprehensive IB PYP Framework

At the heart of our globally conscious educational philosophy is the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), a transdisciplinary framework integrating various subject areas. The PYP Framework at Tessa International School emphasizes excellence in Science, Social Studies, Language & Literacy, Math, the Arts, Social-Emotional Learning, and Physical Education.

A pair of international school students doing a sensory experiment at a table

Our international school introduces students to holistic learning through the IB PYP curriculum

By exploring real-world challenges, students learn to apply their knowledge meaningfully, preparing them for future academic pursuits and career success. The PYP Framework’s emphasis on holistic development ensures that students are intellectually, emotionally, and socially well-rounded.

Nicholas’s parents have noticed the positive impact of our didactic methodology. They said: “We are very pleased with the education Tessa has been providing for our son. We feel they offer an environment in which he can thrive and shine. In the few months he’s been there, his knowledge of Spanish has grown tremendously. We love hearing him count and sing in Spanish! And we can tell the teachers and administration care about each and every one of the students; he is genuinely happy to go to school each day. We are very happy to be a part of the Tessa family!”

Essential Skills for Future Success

An education at Tessa International School equips students with essential skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Our inquiry-based approach fosters critical thinking, research, self-management, social skills, and effective communication.

Critical thinking is cultivated through activities encouraging students to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from multiple sources.
Self-management skills are developed through goal-setting, time management, and personal responsibility. Students learn to take ownership of their learning, becoming self-directed and motivated.
Collaborative activities emphasize teamwork, empathy, and effective communication and nurture social skills.
Effective communication is a fundamental skill that our students develop through our approach. They learn to articulate their ideas clearly and persuasively, in writing and verbally, through presentations, debates, and group discussions.

These highly transferable skills are good reasons to choose an international school, as they are vital for academic achievement and are highly valued by educational institutions and employers in the global marketplace.

Shaping a Brighter Future

At Tessa International School, we are committed to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are academically proficient, emotionally intelligent, and socially responsible. By choosing our Spanish, Mandarin, or French Immersion school, you provide your child with an education that transcends traditional boundaries. Opting for the Tessa International School will profoundly transform your child’s future.

Enrolling your child in our school invests in their academic success, personal growth, and a lifelong love of learning. Together, we can shape a brighter future for your child, one filled with endless possibilities and opportunities.

Do you want to explore one of the leading private elementary schools in NJ?

Contact Tessa International School for more information!