July 28, 2010
Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ), will hold a three-day seminar in August for teachers qualified to teach the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB-DP). This Category 3 Topical Seminar on Japanese literature marks the first time that an advanced Category 3 seminar has been held in Japan for IB teachers in Japanese. (A category 3 is a theme-based seminar designed to enhance professional knowledge)
The Category 3 Seminar at TUJ is for IB teachers who teach Japanese literature studied as a first language and is a highly specialized seminar targeting Japanese native or near-native educators. A total of 15 IB teachers from inside and outside of Japan are expected to participate in this 15-hour seminar, held from August 9 to 11.
International Baccalaureate (IB) is the name given to international education programs developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), a non-profit foundation established in Switzerland in 1968. IB curricula are designed to ensure high quality education which is compatible and recognizable internationally, in response to the rapidly globalizing world and people’s increasing mobility. The actual programs are carried out through IBO-accredited schools around the world. Currently there are more than 3,000 IB schools in 139 countries, offering programs to over 838,000 students aged 3 to 19 years.
The IB Diploma Programme is usually taught for the final two years at high schools and students are issued a diploma upon passing the final examination, which serves as a qualification recognized by major universities around the world.
Schools must be authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme, and as a part of the authorization and ongoing evaluation processes, need to ensure that their teachers regularly undertake IB approved professional development, for example at IB seminars and workshops. These seminars and workshops are offered throughout the year in many different countries, but in Japan there are only one or two seminars available each year.
The providers of these seminars and workshops must also be authorized by IBO, and TUJ is the first authorized seminar provider in Japan to deliver a Category 3 Topical Seminar.
TUJ expects to expand its IB Professional Development seminar offerings in the future. The provision of professional training for educators such as this seminar is another milestone that demonstrates TUJ’s ongoing commitment to the development and promotion of international education in Japan.