Coordinator Communication
May 2024
IB Coordinator
Eric Baptiste
The new school year usher in new beginnings. This year, 8 (soon to be 9) students made a new beginning in the IB course, and the new DP1 students have begun studying in the IBDP proper.
Most of the Pre-IB students are getting used to taking classes in English. This year, we again have a diverse group of students with different backgrounds. Some have experience learning in English from their time at domestic international schools and from studying abroad. Others have experience with languages other than English and Japanese. Diversity can be a strength. Therefore, these students will also benefit from the diversity of their classroom as they begin the challenge of the IB course at Osaka International High School.
The new beginnings of the Pre-IB and DP1 students juxtaposes the situation the DP2 students are in. They are getting close to the end of their IB journeys. Their final exams for the IBDP are in late October and November. In preparation, the DP2 students went through a nearly 2-week long gauntlet of exams to prepare them for those exams. The students have less than half a year to get ready for their exams. They are working frantically to be ready for their exams and complete their other assessments, many of which take the form of independent inquiry. It is said that time flies when you are having fun, so I suspect the DP2 students will soar through the remaining months to complete the IB course. It will be over before they realize, so I hope they savor what remains of their high school careers.
November, 2023
The leaves have fallen off the trees. The weather has finally become cooler, but days are shorter. These are just some of the signs that second semester is almost over.
The DP1 students are getting ready for their important exams. They are a year away from taking the IB exams. The tests they will take soon are important for helping them gauge how much they have learned and how much they still have to learn to succeed on their exams next year. The DP1 students are studying more than we have ever seen them study for these important tests. We are looking forward to seeing them improve and get good results.
The Pre-IB students are making their course selections. This is an all-important decision about what they will study for the next 2 years. What they choose may also have an effect on their university choices. Due to the possible consequence of course selections, students and parents do not take these decisions lightly. They have been advised by teachers as much as possible. However, the final decision remains with students and parents as they pursue their future dreams.
Some other things that are happening soon are IB returnee entrance exams. The IB course has special entrance exams for students who meet our qualifications to be considered returnees. This means that they have lived abroad for a certain amount of time. The IB course is suitable for returnees that wish to learn in a way similar to how learning is done in other countries. The teachers in the IB course teach in a way that is common in other countries and international schools. Most classes are also taught in English. The opportunity to get the IB diploma combined with the Japanese high school diploma is a rare one that offers unique benefits to those who wish to undertake studies in an academically rigorous program. We look forward to seeing the successful results of those students who are willing to challenge themselves to flourish in the IB course at our school.
September, 2023
The second semester has started in earnest. The students are working hard to get ready for the culture festival. This will be the Pre-IB (high school first grade) students first high school culture festival. However, this does not mean they have neglected their studies. DP 1 students (high school second grade) students still have a lot to do outside of class. Pre-IB students have midterm exams in early October. Many DP 1 students have worked on their extended essays over the summer break, and are continuing to do so. Summer break also gave students the opportunity to do many Community, Activity, Service (CAS) experiences, which is a volunteer program that the students engage in independently. Many students went abroad. Germany, the UK and the US were some of the places which were visited. One of the benefits of the IBDP at Osaka International High School is the freedom students have to choose trips abroad through our Study Tour system. We hope more students are able to take advantage of the system in the future.
June, 2023
It has been over two months since we welcomed our second cohort in the IB program. More students are making the choice to study in English. The Pre-IB (high school first grade) students are getting used to taking lessons in English. They are certainly getting a lot of practice with interacting in English. They have not chosen the easy road, but it is one that is filled with possibilities for growth. The DP1 (high school second grade) students are getting ready to start researching their extended essays. A lot of thought needs to go into the choice of subject. Also, students need to do some reading before they start their research in earnest as they need to write research proposals. Writing a 4000-word essay is not something that is easy for a high school student to do. However, with the proper motivation and support, our students can develop their research, communication and thinking skills through this endeavor.
