As India opened up itself more and more to the global challenges, there arose an ambitious generation with an advanced outlook and perception.  The exposure to new horizons made them aware of the additional knowledge they should have in order to be successful players in the global arena.  A strong need for an education of international standard was felt, for the panacea for the all the shortcomings in life is, no doubt, a sound education. Noted Greek philosopher Aristotle put it beautifully as Education is an ornament in prosperity and refuge in adversity,

Today in India we have University of Cambridge International Examination (CIE) offering IGCSE also abbreviated as iGCSE as well as International Baccalaureate (IB).  Their inroads into India have filled the much felt void of a quality education of international standard.  These courses are a natural choice for the children of expats, NRIs and MNC employees anticipating international transfers. But even the native Indians who have plans to send their children to universities abroad or otherwise are not hesitating to exploit the international opportunity made available at their doorstep.  In today’s competitive environment everyone wants to have a fair deal in all spheres of life. An internationally recognized qualification is indeed an icing on the cake. Today Mumbai is home to as many as 50 IGCSE schools out of the 200 in India and also to many schools offering IB syllabus. 

International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE or iGCSE) 

The IGCSE is an internationally recognized qualification for school students in the age group of 14-16 years. It is similar to the Class 10 examinations of any other board. The comprehensive two-year programme spread over Class 9 and 10 leads to the final examinations offered in May and November every year. It prepares students for further study including progression to AS Level and A Level, Cambridge Pre-U and the IB Diploma Programme.

The IGCSE offers five Subject Groups with several subjects in each group to choose from.

• Group 1: Languages (First Language, Second Language, Foreign Language etc)
• Group 2: Humanities and Social Sciences (Geography, English Literature, History etc.)
• Group 3: Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics etc.)
• Group 4: Mathematics (Mathematics, Additional Mathematics etc.)
• Group 5: Creative, Technical, Vocational (Accounting, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Music etc.)

The assessment is made with an eight-point grading scale from A+ to G. A student who has done his/her schooling from any other board can join the IGCSE at the Class 9 level.  

The Cambridge International A level qualification, equivalent to the class 12^th exams, is offered to students in the age group of 16 to 18 years.  It is divided into two parts – the AS which is at the class 11 level followed by A2 at the class 12 level.  The A level curriculum offers as many as 40 diverse subjects including applied mathematics, science, commerce, economics, art and design, religious studies and accounting.   The syllabus is tailored to fit into the Indian education. Students with IGCSE’s in five subjects plus A level in two subjects are eligible for entry into non-professional courses. Students who do their A level in Science and Mathematics are eligible to appear for medical and engineering entrance exams in India.  The qualifications are recognized by the educational institutions and employers all over the world

Skills in problem solving, critical and analytical thinking that students of these programmes develop prepare them to assimilate into any system of higher education or job market in the world.

Though the certificates are offered much later, many international schools in India have also adopted the ICE’s international primary programme and the Cambridge Check Point. The focus of primary programme is to provide curriculum support to the school at the primary level, in the areas of mathematics, English and science enabling the students to have a natural progression to the IGCSE, besides elevating these schools to international standards

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate is another educational foundation that offers high quality programmes of international education to a worldwide community of schools. It caters to the students in the age group of 3-19 helping them to develop intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills. The programme divided into three parts is offered from kindergarten to pre-university. These are offered individually or as a continuum.

The Primary Years Programme for students aged 3 to 12 focuses on the development of the whole child in the classroom and in the world outside.

The Middle Years Programme for students aged 11 to 16 provides a framework of academic challenge and life skills, achieved through embracing and transcending traditional school subjects.

The Diploma Programme for students aged 16 to 19 is a demanding two-year curriculum leading to final examinations and a qualification that is welcomed by leading universities around the world.

Before they graduate, the students are expected to choose from six subject groups: 

Group 1: First Language (English)

Group 2: Second Language

Group 3:  Individuals and Societies (history, economics, business and management)

Group 4: Sciences (biology, chemistry, physics and environmental systems)

Group 5: Math and Computer Science

Group 6: Electives (either visual arts, or a second subject from groups 3, 4 or 5)

In addition to this, students are also made to take ‘A Theory of Knowledge’, ‘Extended Essay’ and ’Creativity, Action and Service’ courses during their two-year course. The first part entails an in-depth essay, supported by a 10-minute presentation on the topic chosen by the student. The second part involves an original, independent research to produce an exhaustive manuscript piece of 4000 words on any topic, and finally, the third part encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service work for a minimum of 150 hours, thus fostering students’ awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena.  

WISDOM ACADEMY

Wisdom Academy, one of the premier coaching institutes in Mumbai, is all set to take up the challenge with a renewed vigor.  The Academy which has been in the field from the past 15 years has consistently produced many top ranking students. Thanks to our dedicated and resourceful band of teachers, the feat is repeated year after year. Our superior learning techniques help to bring out the hidden ability and talents of the children.

We provide personal home tuitions according to your convenience. In home tuition apart from the one-one-one interaction, the student can dictate his/her own pace for learning. The cosy confines of the home make learning a pleasant experience.

Our teachers offer group tuitions at our Andheri centre.

“If I had eight hours to chop down a tree”, said Dale Carnegie, noted American writer “I would spend six sharpening my axe.”  Isn’t that called preparedness?  Yes, we are here to prepare you with the best tutoring available. 

REACH US AT

Address : 202, Nazarana Apt., J. P. Road, Shanta Wadi Lane,  Behind Bombay Bazar, Andheri (West), Mumbai - 400 058, Maharashtra, India.

Phone : (022) 32209155  9324475566 /  9322239068

Email : response@languagemaster.co.in

Website : www.wisdomacademy.co.in / www.sparkcreativeacademy.in 

About the Author

hometuitions Private tuitions for IB Diploma / A and AS level / O level for following subjects:- Group 1: Language - More than 80 languages have been offered as a language A1, with 45 being readily available for examination at both SL and HL Group 2: 2nd Language - nearly 80 additional languages offered and may be studied at the following levels: A2 (SL or HL), B (SL or HL), or ab initio (SL only). Group 3: Individuals and Societies – of nine courses offered at both the Standard level (SL) and Higher level (HL): Business and management, Economics, Geography, History, Information Technology in a Global Society, etc.

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