HOW DO STUDENTS LEARN IN THE CAMBRIDGE PROGRAMME AT NGUYEN SIEU PRIMARY SCHOOL?

In the Cambridge Programme at Nguyen Sieu Primary School, students learn through a combination of approaches, including learning from understanding to application, differentiated learning, spiral learning, active learning, inquiry-based learning, communication and collaboration, and experiential learning. Each approach helps students deepen their understanding, develop critical thinking skills, and gradually take ownership of their learning journey.

From “Knowing” to “Understanding and Applying”

Students follow a learning process:

Learn → Practise → Apply → Explain & Share → Reflect & Improve

Learning Tailored to Individual Abilities and Readiness

Every student has different strengths, learning needs, and rates of progress. Their abilities may also vary depending on the subject matter and learning context. Therefore, teachers design and adapt learning tasks with different levels of support, challenge, and expectations to better meet each student's individual needs.

Cambridge learning resources support teachers in personalising learning through three levels of tasks: Focus helps students develop a solid foundation of essential knowledge and skills; Practice allows them to practise, consolidate, and apply what they have learned; while Challenge extends their knowledge, introduces greater complexity, and encourages deeper thinking.

Learning Through a Spiral Curriculum

Throughout their learning journey, students may encounter certain topics again at different Stages. However, this does not mean simply repeating previously learned content.

The Cambridge Programme follows the principle of Spiral Learning, in which important concepts and knowledge are revisited at progressively more advanced levels. This approach enables students to deepen their understanding, make broader connections, apply their knowledge in increasingly complex contexts, and prepare for more demanding learning challenges.

For example, students may first explore a basic mathematical concept at one Stage. When they revisit the same concept at a later Stage, they are expected to connect it with other mathematical knowledge to solve more complex problems.

Active Learning 

Students learn more effectively when they actively participate in the learning process. They are provided with opportunities to:

• Observe and explore;
• Ask and answer questions;
• Exchange ideas with teachers and classmates;
• Work independently, in pairs, or in groups;
• Solve problems;
• Participate in hands-on activities;
• Complete learning tasks or projects;
• Present their work and ideas;
• Receive feedback and make improvements to their learning.

Therefore, teachers are not simply responsible for delivering knowledge. They also create supportive learning environments, guide students, ask thought-provoking questions, provide appropriate assistance, and encourage students to think independently and actively construct their own understanding.

Learning Through Inquiry and Questioning

During lessons, questions often serve as the starting point for students to observe, think critically, gather information, explore different possibilities, and develop new understanding.

Through this process, asking questions becomes more than just a classroom activity. It gradually develops into a learning habit that nurtures curiosity, independent thinking, and the ability to take an active role in learning.

Learning Through Communication and Collaboration 

The ability to express thoughts and ideas is an essential skill in both learning and everyday life.

Students are given frequent opportunities to exchange ideas, work in pairs or groups, present their perspectives, and provide feedback on their own ideas and those of others.

In the Cambridge learning environment, English is therefore not only the subject matter of English lessons but also a tool for learning, communication, and expressing ideas across subjects taught in English.

Learning Through Practice and Experience 

Students apply their knowledge through hands-on activities, projects, and experiential learning opportunities.

These activities provide meaningful contexts in which students can apply their knowledge and skills to tasks appropriate to each subject, helping them connect what they have learned with what they are able to do in practice.

At Nguyen Sieu Primary School, these learning approaches are thoughtfully integrated to provide students with opportunities to acquire knowledge, explore independently, collaborate with others, and apply what they have learned.

The goal is not only to help students understand “what to learn” but also “how to learn”, gradually developing their thinking skills, independent learning abilities, and sense of ownership throughout their learning journey.