SABIS® believes that an intelligent approach produces better results. Excellent results are achieved by:
- Planning and preparing
- Teaching methodically and comprehensively, using SABIS® teaching methods
- Conducting frequent and regular testing
- Continuous and appropriate follow-up
- Encouraging active student participation in the education process
Everything possible is done to ensure success and no one who studies in a school in the SABIS® School Network is allowed to 'fail in peace'.
Planning and Preparing
Thorough preparation precedes teaching. Each course is researched and structured and is described in terms of hundreds of clearly stated objectives.
A plan for each subject at each stage is prepared. Each plan is complete: it includes all of the 'points' to be taught and the skills to be developed; it is detailed: each objective is precise and measurable; it is paced: progress is charted against a time-line. Each plan for each stage dovetails with that of the following stage, ensuring that nothing essential to further learning is omitted, and enabling the transition from year to year to be smooth and successful.
Teaching Methods
The whole class is taught together, using the unique SABIS® 'Points method'. This means that each behavioral objective (called a 'point') of each lesson is taught interactively, alternating oral work, individual written work and group checking. Class time is utilized by building a solid foundation of knowledge through interacting, analyzing, forming and expressing opinions, and effectively discussing issues based on critical thinking and logical reasoning.
The varied teaching methods used and the pace set stimulate students: both of these keep students interested and harness their enthusiasm.When in class, students actively learn: they do not simply listen to lengthy explanations or take dictated notes.
Testing and Monitoring
Continuous evaluation of student learning is an integral part of the instructional process in the SABIS® School Network. Testing to evaluate student learning, and permit timely positive intervention, is frequent and regular.
Testing students in this way has a number of very important advantages:
a) Students are prepared to perform well under the pressure of time constraints: they develop the ability to organize the available time well, and they learn to control and use adrenalin productively
b) Students develop the ability to focus and to sustain concentration for increasingly longer periods
c) The feed-back from testing allows close monitoring and follow-up
The proprietary SABIS® Software Systems provide many programs that allow reliable and prompt assessment of student knowledge, and effective follow-up. One such program, the Academic Monitoring System (AMS), is used to assess student knowledge of every concept taught. The AMS allows 'gaps' in student knowledge to be pinpointed as they form. Working as a team, teachers and students then focus their efforts on 'filling the gaps'. The AMS allows the progress of each and every student to be continuously monitored and problem areas, if any, to be found and the most student-appropriate solution implemented. When 'gaps' in knowledge are identified and eliminated, a 'gap-free', cohesive structure is built in students' minds, allowing further, secure learning to take place. (For the internal examinations taken, please refer to section on Internal Exams. For the external examinations that may be taken, please refer to the Academic Program Section.)
Follow-up
The progress of each student is continuously followed up and all students receive the support needed. Every available means is used to help those who fall behind to catch up. They are advised in study techniques, motivated by the academic staff and encouraged by receiving help from peer-tutors or teachers. In the SABIS® School Network, no one is left to his or her own devises.