CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY

Why Global
Perspectives?
A transformational program designed to help
learners develop a range of key skills that will
aid them not only in their school and
academic life but also in their future career.

By Keely Laycock

 Global Perspectives caters the 21st Century Skills of the

learners and uses Active Learning to teach and learn. This
subject will prepare students for the IGCSE and AS/A
Levels.

The National Recognition Information Centre for the United

Kingdom (NARIC) found out that Global Perspectives
curriculum is comparable to the US's AP standard.
However, the di erences are apparent in the assessment
frameworks used in AP and Cambridge International A
Level in terms of question type and assessment score.
Hence, students who will continue their studies in the USA
and the like will have an advantage footing as this subject
will eventually require them an independent research
study and presentation. (UK NARIC, 2016)

Cambridge Global Perspectives promotes higher order of

thinking skills through an interdisciplinary approach,
developing and assessing other transferrable skills
(including oral presentation and communication skills,
collaboration, and teamwork).
It will also train the students to identify and analyse
di erent arguments and perspectives, synthesise new ideas
(arguments) based on personal re ection, and independent
research skills.

Finally, the skills in this subject are relevant in preparing

students for higher education study internationally.
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 APPROACHES TO TEACHING AND LEARNING

ACTIVE LEARNING is a pedagogical practice that places

learner learning at its centre. It focuses on how learners
learn, not just on what they learn.

Research shows us that it is not possible to trans

understanding to leaners by simply telling them what they
need to know. Instead, we need to make sure that we
challenge learners thing and support them in building their
own understanding.

The Cambridge Framework for Life Skills focuses on the

following Areas of Competency:

1) Creativity
2) Critical Thinking
3) Learning to learn
4) Communication
5) Collaboration
6) Social Responsibilities

CREATIVITY
Area of creativity in an educational context:
1) the skills needed to participate in creative activities
2) Creating new content from one’s own ideas or other
resources
3) Discovering and expressing one’s personal identity
and feelings through creative activities

COLLABORATION

 Area of collaboration:
1) talking personal responsibility for one’s own
contribution to a group task
2) Listening respectfully and responding constructively
to others’s contributions
3) Managing the sharing of tasks in a project

COMMUNICATION
7 Key Competencies within the area of communication:
1) using appropriate language/register for context
2) Managing conversations
3) Overcoming one’s own language gaps
4) Participating with appropriate con dence and clarity
5) Supporting others to communicate successfully
6) Structuring content
7) Using language for e ect

CRITICAL THINKING
6 Key Critical Thinking Competencies:
1) analysing to understand key points and links between
ideas
2) Evaluating texts, ideas and arguments
3) Synthesising ideas and information
4) Identifying and prioritising problems
5) Evaluating options asking e ective questions

LEARNING TO LEARN
Areas:
1) developing skills fo r participating in learning
2) Taking control of one’s own learning
3) Re ection on and evaluating one’s own learning
process
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 4) Identifying and using e ective learning techniques

and strategies
5) Making notes, storing and retrieving information
6) Managing exam preparation

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
6 Key Competencies
1) understanding one’s personal and social
responsibilities as a global citizen
2) Behaving consistently with one’s personal and social
responsibilities
3) Showing leadership skills
4) Understanding one’s own and other’s cultures
5) Understanding and discussing global issues
6) Understanding and managing career development
options and techniques

Sources:

UK NARIC (2016), Benchmarking Cambridge

International AS & A Level: Summary of Findings on Global
Perspectives and Research, CIE

Laycock, K. (2020). Global Perspectives: Lower Secondary

(Teacher’s Guide), University Printing House, UK [pp vii -
xvii]

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