Special Interest Groups

Network of expertise

Our special interest groups (SIGs) are committees of up to six individuals from within our membership, who are active practitioners and experts in their core areas, whether subject-specific or interdisciplinary in nature.rnrnThe goal of special interest groups is to transform practice through professional learning opportunities that feature leading practice and are evidence-led; a further goal is, where appropriate, to create research and/or research opportunities around particular problems of practice.rnrnSIGs maintain a digital presence throughout the year via our website and social media, and are key stakeholders in organising professional learning opportunities in collaboration with ECIS, whether at one of our conferences or at a stand-alone special interest conference, offered on a schedule agreed to by the special interest group and ECIS.

Admissions

The purpose of the Admission special interest group is to transform practice through professional learning opportunities that feature leading practice and are evidence-led. A further goal is, where appropriate, to create research and/or research opportunities around particular problems of practice.
CONTACT CHAIR

Business & Finance

The purpose of the Business u0026amp; Finance special interest group is to transform practice through professional learning opportunities that feature leading practice and are evidence-led; a further goal is, where appropriate, to create research and/or research opportunities around particular problems of practice.
CONTACT CHAIR

Early childhood education

The purpose of the Early Childhood special interest group is to transform practice through professional learning opportunities that feature leading practice and are evidence-led; a further goal is, where appropriate, to create research and/or research opportunities around particular problems of practice.rnrnIf you would like to register interest for a future event, please complete this short form and you will be the first to know when the next event is launched.

Read the annual executive summary here.

VISIT PAGE

CONTACT CHAIR

Inclusive education: learning, social, emotional behavioural support

The purpose of the Inclusive Education: Learning, Social, Emotional and Behavioural Support uspecial interest group is to transform practice through professional learning opportunities that feature leading practice and are evidence-led; a further goal is, where appropriate, to create research and/or research opportunities around particular problems of practice

VISIT PAGE

CONTACT CHAIR

Intentionally small schools

Intentionally small schools offer opportunities not to be found in a larger setting. Small schools should not only be unapologetic about their size but should seek the unique learning opportunities that come with it. They can be designed to thrive and we propose that we help each other do so by sharing better practices globally. If you, or someone you know, has interest in being on a committee that paves the way for collaboration and professional learning in small schools, please reach out! We’re currently recruiting members to be a part of this team.rnrnInterested in learning more? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Sarah Kupke or Jeremy Majeski via the link below.

VISIT PAGE

CONTACT CHAIR

Library information services

The purpose of the Library Information Services special interest group is to transform practice through professional learning opportunities that feature leading practice and are evidence-led; a further goal is, where appropriate, to create research and/or research opportunities around particular problems of practice.

Read the 2023-2024 Executive Summary

VISIT PAGE

CONTACT CHAIR

Mathematics

The purpose of the Mathematics special interest group is to transform practice through professional learning opportunities that feature leading practice and are evidence-led; a further goal is, where appropriate, to create research and/or research opportunities around particular problems of practice.

VISIT PAGE

CONTACT CHAIR

Multilingual learning in international education

The purpose of the MLIE special interest group (formerly ESL/Mother Tongue) is to transform practice through professional learning opportunities that feature leading practice and are evidence-led; a further goal is, where appropriate, to create research and/or research opportunities around particular problems of practice.

VISIT PAGE

CONTACT CO-CHAIRS:

Alison Mollel
Deborah Perrin

Physical education

The purpose of the Physical Education special interest group is to transform practice through professional learning opportunities that feature leading practice and are evidence-led; a further goal is, where appropriate, to create research and/or research opportunities around particular problems of practice.

VISIT PAGE

CONTACT CHAIR

Research-informed schools

The purpose of the Research-Informed Schools special interest group is to transform practice through professional learning opportunities that feature leading practice and are evidence-led; a further goal is, where appropriate, to create research and/or research opportunities around particular problems of practice.

VISIT PAGE

CONTACT CHAIR

Sustainability and Regenerative Practices

The purpose of this SIG is to help identify, activate and amplify sustainable and regenerative practices in ECIS member schools. Whatever your role, if you are interested in growing, influencing or leading sustainability and regenerative practices in your school community, this group is here to support you.

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The leadership of school culture

The purpose of the Leadership of School Culture special interest group is to transform leadership practice through the investigation of how the deliberate management of the culture of a school can be used for school improvement. This will be ongoing, evidence led, research into the components of a school’s culture and how they can be influenced.

Contact the SIG Chair, Simon O’Connor, Director at Deira International School | Chief Education Officer, AFEF.

CONTACT CHAIR

Women in education

Supporting Women in Education within and beyond the ECIS community.

Our Values:

Keeping and promoting gender equity at the heart of our enterprise
Leading inclusively and ethically
Building communities that cultivates alliances, allyship and collaboration amidst diverse perspectives
Committing deeply for measurable impact
Advocating for sustainable and systemic change that increases access and elevates WiE (and allies)
Making visible the challenges through innovative co-creation for transformation

VISIT PAGE
CONTACT CHAIR

World languages

Welcome to the World Languages Special Interest Group

We are a group of language educators from different parts of the world, teaching different languages in different international schools, but united in the goal of supporting and promoting learning of (multiple) languages.

We have over the years worked on different projects, participated in and organised presentations at different ECIS conferences and mini-conferences.

Mission statement
Collaborating across languages and cultures to continue growing as educators and elevating our students’ learning.

Proposed topics of interest

Based on the discussions with WL teachers from around the world, who work in international schools, several topics of interest have emerged:

-Designing a quality K-12 World Language Curriculum for international schools

– Developing and using pedagogical approaches that are engaging with both online and face-to-face instruction

– Working with school administrators to advocate for quality World Language programs

– Assessing student progress over a variety of programme models and anticipated outcomes

– Continuing our development through research

A few of them include:

– Designing a quality K-12 World Language Curriculum for international schools

– Developing and using pedagogical approaches that are engaging with both online and face-to-face instruction

– Working with school administrators to advocate for quality World Language programs – Assessing student progress over a variety of programme models and anticipated outcomes

– Continuing our development through research

Some of our recent presentations

ECIS Conference in London – Nov 2022

(Topics included: Authentic Assessment, Inclusion and Differentiation, Social Justice, Practical tools to refocus World Language instruction, Culture, Vertical and horizontal alignment of the curriculum)

World Language Day 2021

SEL in World Languages

Authentic Assessments in World Languages: info about the mini-conference and our presentation

Model Curriculum for World Languages, based on AERO standards– presentation for the 2021 ECIS conference for School Administrators:

Links to the US Department of State Office of Overseas Schools

AERO Project Model Curriculum for WL based on the AERO Standards

The public site on the Atlas Rubicon, accessible free of charge to everyone, contains sample units that can be modified and adapted to different levels and contexts.

Project AERO website

The World Languages SIG organises monthly conversations for language educators.

“WL Conversations” are organised in collaboration with other WL groups. Any interested language teacher is welcome and invited to participate in WL Conversations. For more info please contact one of the SIG co-chairs:

Delinka Fabiny

Martina Mencer Salluzzo