At Kansai International Academy (KIA), we offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Program (MYP) to middle school-aged students (G7-G9) . The MYP connects what students learned in the Primary Years Program (PYP) with the advanced technical learning in the Diploma Program (DP).
During adolescence, students undergo a transformation. The MYP equips students with the skills necessary to connect their learning to wider society.
In the DP, students are able to study a wide range of subjects, such as economics, psychology, and drama, in accordance with their own interests, while at the same time gaining in-depth knowledge and skills in specialized fields that are necessary for university and later careers.The goals, content, and assessment criteria of IB learning are all designed to develop an international perspective.
The purpose and aim of MYP
The MYP is an international education program for students aged 11 to 16 years old that connects learning in the classroom to the real life world. Through the program, students gain knowledge and the ability to learn independently through the following three pillars:
Placing learning in a global context
Students apply what they have learned to a broader context, whether local, national or global scale. Students also consider why they learn something and how they can apply it to real world situations.
Understanding the big ideas
The students build a foundation by learning big ideas that transcend subjects rather than learn each subject individually. This allows students to apply their understanding of one subject and to other subjects or assignments.
Approaches to learning (ATL)
From PYP to DP, students develop the skills they need to learn, such as communication, social abilities, self-management, research and thinking skills. Through this process, they build confidence as independent, lifelong learners.
A unique KIA bilingual curriculum and global opportunities
The defining feature of MYP at KIA is the development and maintenance of strong English and Japanese language skills, and the opportunity to put those skills to the test during a one-year study abroad program from G9 to G10.
A bilingual inquiry learning
Students foster high level abilities to think and express themselves in two language subjects, Japanese (Language and Literature) and English (Language acquisition/Language and Literature). They develop the academic language skills needed to thrive in a different cultural and learning environment before their one-year abroad in middle school.
Math, science and humanities
While studying subjects such as math, science and social studies (Individuals and Societies), students learn in two languages and fulfill learning requirements both domestically and abroad, developing a global perspective in the process.
Creativity and taking action
Through drama and design & technology classes, students develop problem-solving skills by exploring multiple areas such as programming, robotics, graphic design and fashion.
MYP Community Project
As a culmination of their MYP journey, students undertake community projects that exemplify service as action, which is a fundamental element of the IB curriculum.
Service as action requires students to pay close attention to the needs of their local community by exploring, researching, designing, implementing and reflecting.
Through this personal or small-group project, students give back to their surrounding community and learn to take responsibility.
MYP, studying abroad program, DP and venturing out overseas
Skills that students develop during MYP include critical thinking, self-management and an inquiry-based learning approach. Through their study abroad program, students learn to adapt and be engaged. These fundamental skills are crucial for the DP, as it is one of the most academically rigorous programs for students preparing for university.
KIA students become internationally-minded individuals because of the IB curriculum that incorporates real-life experiences into their educational journey, which they undergo from PYP to DP. This allows them to thrive and make an impact in an ever-changing, globalized world.
