Written by: Jacqueline Cody, Assistant Head of School
As I reflect on the role of educators, particularly in today’s rapidly changing world, the importance of going beyond traditional academics to prepare students for the complexities of modern life becomes increasingly evident. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is undoubtedly a hot topic societally right now—with best selling books, podcasts, and journalists highlighting some of the social struggles our young people face. We recognize the critical importance of SEL in developing well-rounded, resilient, and globally-minded individuals who exemplify our mission.
SEL, combined with our commitment to bilingualism and academic excellence, creates a powerful environment that equips students to tackle challenges with confidence, perspective, and sensitivity.
At Silicon Valley International School (INTL), our approach to education is one that sees SEL and academic excellence as not mutually exclusive, but rather mutually reinforcing.
THE SYNERGY OF SEL AND BILINGUALISM
Our bilingual model, paired with our commitment to inquiry learning that challenges students through
depth, transferability, and critical thinking, offers cognitive benefits that extend far beyond language skills. These include enhanced executive functions, empathy, and the development of grit and resilience in learning. By integrating SEL into this framework, we create a synergy that amplifies the benefits of our curriculum and creates something truly powerful.
ENHANCED EMPATHY AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Our students build a broader and more nuanced vocabulary of emotions and gain heightened cultural sensitivity allowing them to navigate challenging situations with greater awareness and appreciation of diversity. For example, when discussing complex chapters of history in 4th Grade, or debating current affairs in High School Global Citizenship, our students are provided with opportunities to demonstrate and build upon their empathy and high levels of EQ.
IMPROVED PERSPECTIVE-TAKING: The ability to switch between languages encourages flexible thinking and the capacity to see situations from multiple viewpoints. For example, 11th and 12th Graders pursuing bilingual diplomas engage in thought-provoking literary and philosophical debates during their two Language and Literature courses. There they have the opportunity to navigate distinct narrative styles, rhetorical devices, and cultural contexts-engaging with diverse perspectives, values, and ideologies. Or, take for example our 1st Graders who study poetry and classic fairy tales across different languages, comparing how different cultures express similar values (e.g., giving, community) in unique ways, or how the stories’ themes may be shared but how cultural elements can reflect different values.
INCREASED INHIBITORY CONTROL: Our bilingual model supports the development of strong inhibitory control as students become more adept at suppressing automatic responses or irrelevant information. These skills are crucial to sticking with and engaging in tasks that are not immediately easy, but necessary for long-term success; a key to productive struggle. In our Early Years classrooms we see marked resilience in our youngest students as they search for the vocabulary word to express their idea, or take audible pauses as they process their thoughts in two languages, often combining both to express their ideas “just right.”
ADVANCED METACOGNITIVE SKILLS: Importantly, our bilingual model promotes strong self-awareness in learning. Mistakes are inevitable— whether in grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation. Through making errors and receiving feedback, students develop a growth mindset. At the youngest age, they learn to view challenges not as failures, but as opportunities to improve. Our students understand that struggling with a task is a necessary part of mastering it, which leads to growth. For example, 1st Graders dive deep into their individual learning traits and preferences, 2nd Graders engage in the process of iterations as they build Rube Goldberg Machines, 4th Graders are introduced to neuroscience and research on the growth mindset, and Middle Schoolers are engaged in simulations designed to experience and reflect on failure.
The cognitive and emotional benefits of bilingual education—such as enhanced attention control, problem-solving skills, resilience, and emotional regulation—help students build grit. Our students are often accustomed to the productive struggle that comes with learning and mastering the demands of our inquiry-based, bilingual education, making them better equipped to handle challenges in other areas of their life with persistence and determination.