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1. OVERVIEW

Geography 

Geography, a subject within the realm of social sciences and humanities, and is implemented across all educational levels, spanning from grades 1 – 12. Geography guides students in exploring the intricate relationship between humanity, society and nature, by delving into the existence and evolution of life on Earth. The subject focuses on three major components: physical geography, human geography, and economic geography. The study of geography enables students to explain natural and socio-economic phenomena, recognise and address local and global issues, and anticipate future changes.

Geography serves as a journey for students to explore the world, offering a myriad of vibrant images of diverse landscapes and human lives, each with its own unique and dynamic characteristics. The subject provides students with the opportunity to deeply comprehend and respect the world’s diversity and uniqueness, fostering their social skills and critical thinking. As a result, students will evolve into global citizens capable of creating, making informed decisions, and taking responsibility.

In the era of global integration and volatility, students’ ability to understand and innovate is of significant importance, contributing to creating unique values and building a prosperous and sustainable world. Geography not only helps students answer questions about their surrounding world, its workings and interconnections, but also empowers them to shape the future, prompt reflection, and propose solutions to common local and global geographical challenges (such as climate change, resource and environmental degradation, economic crises, migration, racial disparities, and sustainable development).

Furthermore, geography education nurtures students’ decision-making skills, equipping them with capabilities and behaviours required to address challenges arising from both the natural and human-made environments. As a result, students actively engage in identifying and resolving problems, employing comprehensive thinking from diverse perspectives, considering individual and societal, and environmental and developmental factors. This approach also fosters their creativity.

The Geography curriculum at Vinschool is designed with a dual focus on fostering geographical knowledge and skills, specifically: 

  • Geographical knowledge is centred around three core areas: general geography, world geography, and Vietnamese geography. The segment delves into events, concepts, theories, principles of movement, and evolving geographical models, which are continually updated and revised. Understanding geography involves the ability to perceive the relationships between different aspects of knowledge, the connections among concepts, and the interactive nature of geographical phenomena. It also involves the practical application of acquired knowledge to novel situations or the resolution of new problems.
  • Geographical skills feature a comprehensive set of skills empowering students to explore and deepen their understanding of the world. These skills are applied to explore geographical phenomena and issues, from natural to socio-economic ones. This encompasses posing geographical questions, conducting research, analysis, evaluation, communication, and reflection.

In the teaching and learning of Geography, a proactive and dynamic approach is emphasised, fostering the development of innovative thinking. Teachers encourage students to begin their learning journey by observing real-world situations, posing challenging questions that address real issues or satisfy their curiosity about the environment and ongoing phenomena. Through the process of answering questions or explaining various geographical issues or phenomena, students gradually accumulate practical knowledge and skills to address practical geographical problems.

Each geographical content or skill learned and applied is closely integrated into diverse and age-appropriate instructional methods, including blended learning, flipped classrooms, project-based learning, and problem-solving approaches.

History

History is a discipline within the realms of Social Science and Humanities, systematically taught across primary, secondary and high school levels. It is the study of the past, spanning from ancient times to the contemporary era. Widely recognised as a formidable exploration into our historical legacy, the subject meticulously unravels the formation and progression of human societies, the essence of cultural dynamics, the rise and fall of cultures, and the standings of nations throughout different historical epochs.

By learning History, students can address fundamental inquiries concerning identity and the collective actions undertaken for survival and advancement. The process of questioning and seeking answers, exploring the origins and nature of historical events and issues, nurtures students’ curiosity, imagination, creativity, and critical thinking skills, exposing them to diverse perspectives. The curriculum places emphasis on two major domains – Global and regional history, and Vietnamese history.  

  • History not only enables students to address fundamental questions related to the origin, formation and development, and evolution of human society, but also provides them with experiences in the process of survival and constant movement. Crucially, through historical periods/events, students find out how human societies operate and progress, extracting proud insights and universal truth for contemporary and future development.
  • The world is currently marked by dynamic shifts influenced by globalisation and the connections among countries and regions worldwide. By applying these lessons, students can address global challenges. This contributes significantly to cultivating the virtues of Vietnamese citizens as global citizens, who are capable of fitting in and being accepted across the international stage.
  • History holds a significant role in instilling and nurturing patriotism in students. While the notion of “patriotism” may vary based on individual perspectives, it generally involves a clear understanding of the people’s origins and the country’s history. By grasping the challenges and triumphs the nation has faced, individuals can develop a sense of national pride and self-respect. This, in turn, inspires concrete actions for the advancement of the country.
  • The History curriculum at Vinschool is structured around two primary components: Historical knowledge and understanding, and Historical skills.
    • Historical knowledge and understanding focuses on World History and Vietnamese History. Historical knowledge delves into concepts, events, phenomena, and figures across the expanse of time and space, spanning from Ancient to Modern times. Historical understanding involves the ability to discern connections and relationships among different facets of knowledge, as well as the capacity to identify the essence of problems and explain the rules of human development and societal evolution. This process aids in uncovering historical legacies, honing the ability to apply knowledge and understanding to novel situations, solve emerging problems, and even contribute to future innovation, change, and development.
    • Historical knowledge is a set of skills designed to assist students in learning and deepening their comprehensive understanding of the world and their own country. These skills include inquiring, researching, analysing, evaluating, communicating, and reflecting. Students will actively engage with and apply these skills throughout their history education, fostering an awareness of historical thinking and the practical application of knowledge and understanding in real-life scenarios.
  • The approach to teaching and learning History aims to cultivate a positive and proactive learning mindset among students. A series of inquiry questions is employed to stimulate students’ curiosity and inquisitiveness, prompting them to actively seek answers. This process not only fosters critical thinking and cognitive autonomy but also provides opportunities for students to develop their own perspectives, explore, and articulate thoughts on problems and events from a fresh standpoint.

2. COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • Foster students’ exploration of the natural world and human existence in their surroundings.
  • Cultivate a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the natural, demographic, and socio-economic features within students’ localities, extending to Vietnam, various regions, continents, and the global landscape. 
  • Heighten students’ awareness of the connections among individuals, society, and the environment. Encourage an understanding of the impact of geographical challenges at local, national, and global levels, thereby enhancing the ability to adapt and respond to fluctuations and changes.
  • Promote creative and effective utilisation of investigative methods, information collection and processing, geography tools, and social communication to support learning and apply geographical knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
  • Develop geographical thinking skills, including perceiving the world spatially and explaining geographical phenomena and processes. This involves fostering the ability to ask questions and encouraging critical thinking.
  • Facilitate the formation and development of specific ideas, perspectives, and actions to address geographical challenges through the inquiry – research – analysis – conclusion – proposal – feedback process.
  • Stimulate the ability to creatively and effectively select and utilise methods for investigating, collecting, and processing information, along with geographical tools and social communication. This not only supports the learning process but also empowers students to apply their geographical knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
  • Create opportunities for individuals to evolve into global citizens endowed with the capacity for active and lifelong learning. Instill a sense of responsibility towards the environment, community, and the world, and foster the ability to contribute to positive change and the establishment of a harmonious and sustainable living environment