Exploring the four Cs: Using future skills to unlock young learners’ potential

Annie Altamirano
Students sat together in a classroom working together
所要时间: 5 minutes

What do we mean by future skills??

The skills students will need in their future studies and careers are dramatically different from those required previously. Times are changing rapidly and educational institutions and teachers have a critical role to play in developing those skills in our young learners so that they are able to fulfill their potential and have bright futures ahead of them.?

These skills are referred to as future skills. There is no common consensus on how to define these skills but, broadly speaking, they can be grouped into four categories:?

1. Ways of thinking

Skills in this category include critical thinking, creativity, innovation, problem solving, metacognition and learning skills.

2. Ways of working

Here, we’re talking about the skills of communication and collaboration.

3. Tools for working

Information literacy is an important 21st-century skill, as well as ICT literacy and citizenship, both global and local.?

4. Life skills

The final category covers life and career skills, and is all about personal and social responsibility.?

One way you can encourage young learners to build these skills is through STEAM subjects (that’s science, technology, engineering, arts and math), which will equip them with functional skills such as organizing, planning, cognitive flexibility and self-regulation.?

The four Cs?

The four Cs refer to four important skills for young learners to master: communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. These are essential, not just in an educational context, but in everyday life.?

Falling into the first two categories of future skills (ways of thinking and ways of working), these can help children build confidence and self-esteem. They also encourage healthy emotional development.??

So let’s take a closer look at the theory behind them.

1. Communication

We usually think of communication as speaking and listening, but it’s actually much broader than that. Communication encapsulates telling stories, reading, sharing ideas and experiences, body language, facial expression, eye contact and tone. Children learn to decipher the world around them by learning and practicing these skills.

Strong communication skills, developed early, are directly related to their literacy success. These skills allow children to articulate their thoughts and ideas effectively, and listen to decode meaning. Students then begin to use communication for a range of purposes, and communicate effectively in diverse environments. Furthermore, developing strong patterns of verbal and non-verbal communication also fosters self-esteem and social skills.?

2. Collaboration

Collaboration is how young children begin to build friendships with others. At first, young children will watch what others do and say, before moving on to playing together. As they get older, they become aware of other children’s feelings and ideas. Friendships become motivating and they learn how to make compromises and respect each other’s perspectives and skills.?

Collaboration is enhanced through group work and project-based activities, sharing time with peers. Children thrive when they feel valued by the people around them, not just adults but their peers too.?

3. Creativity

Creativity is a complex concept. Many people think that creativity is being good at painting or drawing, but actually, creativity can manifest itself in a multitude of ways. Some of the key attributes of creative thinking include divergent thinking, imagination, flexibility, and the ability to tolerate ambiguity.?

Children who can express themselves creatively show less frustration and develop a joy of learning. And this expression can take many forms: writing, drama, scientific exploration, and dance and other movement – to name just a few.

Part of creativity is learning to innovate. Innovation is how children test their thinking and how they interact with their world. Creative children are able to create content from their own ideas or other resources. They can use that newly created content to solve problems and participate in creative activities.?

4. Critical thinking

Critical thinking refers to the higher levels of thinking that learners need to enable them to think rationally and effectively about their needs, the best way to do things, identifying links between ideas, analyzing points of view, evaluating arguments, and supporting evidence and reasoning. It’s about thinking in a non-linear, open-ended way, allowing for multiple responses and unspecified answers, and considering issues from various perspectives, challenging assumptions and exploring possible alternatives.?

Critical thinking is not a natural function like sleeping or eating. Children benefit significantly from teaching methods that take the development of their thinking skills seriously. And when children start applying critical thinking skills, they’ll begin to enjoy more challenging tasks.?

Five steps to the four Cs

So how can teachers plan their lessons to develop these four skills in their young learners? There are five steps that provide a framework that challenges and stimulates students:?

1. Determine learning objectives and define behaviors that learners should exhibit

Think about the purpose of your lesson. What new concept or information do you want your students to absorb? And what learning behaviors do you want to elicit from them? Clarifying these aims before your lesson will help you to measure its success afterwards.?

2. Model a new concept and encourage students to think critically and creatively through questioning

It’s important for the teacher to plan significant questions and give students time to respond. Follow up on those responses by asking probing questions and periodically summarizing key points of the discussion. There are various types of questions you can use in class:?

  • Clarification questions, for example, What do you mean? Can you explain that more? Could you put that in another way??
  • Assumption questions, for example,?Why do you think so? Would you make this assumption??
  • Evidence questions, for example,?Can you give me an example? Do you think this is true??
  • Origin or source questions, for example, Where did you get that idea? Is this your own idea or did you hear it from someone else??
  • Consequence questions, for example, What effect would that have? What would the implications be? What alternatives could there be??
  • Viewpoint questions, for example, How are these ideas different? How would different groups of people respond??

It’s important to include as many students as possible in the discussion. In this way, they are more likely to communicate with each other and discover knowledge on their own.?

3. Choose activities that promote active learning?

One activity that typically receives a positive response is the KWL approach. Create a table with three columns:

  • K = what students know?
  • W = what they want to know?
  • L = what they have learned

Once the class has completed the first two columns, you can put the table aside until the end of the lesson or the topic. Then complete the final column as a way of reviewing everything that has been covered in the lesson.?

Also, try think-pair-share activities. Assign students short tasks to complete individually. Just make sure that they prompt learners to come up with creative responses. Once students have had an opportunity to think critically and creatively about the concept, they can share their ideas with a partner before sharing with the whole class.?

4. Prompt communication and collaboration, and give students an opportunity to review and refine their ideas?

Moving into larger groups, learners can share their work, accept different perspectives and defend their own point of view. Presenting to one another and answering questions will prompt them to review and refine their ideas before the final step in the process.

5. Learners present their work, getting feedback and creating an opportunity for self-assessment?

Depending on the type of work you’re doing, presenting could be as simple as sharing answers to questions or giving a project presentation with a group spokesperson. Encourage the other members of the class to ask questions and provide feedback, as well as giving your own feedback. Then, encourage learners to reflect on their participation in the lesson.

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    英語を学ぶさまざまな理由だけでなく、さまざまな目標もあります。多くの学生は依然として流暢に話せるようになることに焦点を当てています 英語そして、特定の理由で言語を学びたいと思う人々が増加しているのを私たちは見ています。たとえば、特定の文化に没頭したり、海外旅行中にメニューから注文したりします。

    教師は、生徒が実際の目標を達成するのを助けるために、これらの個人的なニーズに焦点を当てています。あなたはすでに生徒に、なぜ彼らが 英語を学びたいのかについて話している可能性があります。さまざまな動機が言語学習に対する学生の態度に影響を与える可能性があるため、これを理解することは重要です - そして、それはあなたがあなたの教育戦略を学习者の異なるグループに適応させる必要があるかもしれません。

    さまざまな学习者グループに 英語 を教える

    いくつかの異なる学生グループに会い、彼らの動機についてもう少し学び、さまざまな動機が学生の学習方法を変えるかどうかを探りましょう 英語。あなたはあなたのクラスでこれらの学习者のいくつかを認識するかもしれません。

    1. 学习者大学?一般学习者向け

    これらの学生は、楽しみや個人的な理由で 英語 学んでいます。それは、旅行、社会的または家族的な理由によるものかもしれませんし、 英語 をよりよく理解することが彼らのキャリアに役立つかもしれないからです。移民要件として 英語 を学んでいる可能性のある成人学习者もいます。

    例えば、23歳のアリスは、人と出会い、英语を话す隣人とより有意义な交流をするために、英语を学ぶことにしました。「私はとても耻ずかしがり屋で、人と话すことにあまり自信がありませんでした。でも、英语を学ぶことで、他の人とつながり、新しい人と出会うことができました。私は大きく変わりました。」

    アリスのようなモチベーションには、教师の强力なサポートと、构造化された学习に织り込まれた仲间のモチベーションが必要です。アリスは自分の目标を设定し、 GSE 学習目標 を使用して、その目標を達成するために何をする必要があるかを計画できます。教師の励ましと個人的なサポート、そしてデジタルコースワークへの簡単なアクセス、 英語を学ぶ他の人のソーシャルコミュニティ、会話を強調する少人数のクラスにより、アリスのような人々は彼女の言語目標を達成するために関与し、やる気を起こさせます。「彼らなしではやっていけません」と彼女は言います。

    2.プロの学习者

    これらの学习者は通常、より正式なタイプの 英語 プログラムに参加しており、昇進などの特定のキャリアマイルストーンを達成するために言語を学んでいます。彼らの雇用主は彼らの学習に対してさえ支払っているかもしれませんし、彼らは彼らのレッスンの費用を払い戻されるかもしれません。

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    ヴィンチェンツォのようなプロの学习者は、クラスと自宅での学習の混合学習モデルを使用して成功し、自分の生活に合わせて調整できます。彼らは成功への強いモチベーションを持っています - それが彼らにとって家庭での学習が彼らにとって効果的である理由です - しかし、 GSE 学習目標によって提供される段階的な進歩も、このモチベーションを維持するために重要です。「私は週に一度、先生と会い、 英語話すときに犯す間違いに取り組みました。また、面白いゲームやビデオなど、自分の時間に聞くための追加の練習教材もくれて、言語の理解を深めるのに役立ててくれました」とヴィンチェンツォは言います。

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    アカデミックな学习者

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    スブラさんは「中学や高校への进学に向けて一生悬命準备をしていたので、テスト勉强には惯れています。それはテスト结果で决まるものでした」と话します。

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    所要时间: 3 minutes

    It's April Fool's Day today and we’re diving into the lighter side of the English language. English is full of quirky sayings and odd words that can leave you scratching your head or laughing out loud. So enjoy this collection of funny English sayings and words that are sure to bring a smile to your face and probably make you question whether this is an April Fool’s Day joke.

    1. Bob’s your uncle

    Let’s start with a classic British saying: “Bob’s your uncle.” This phrase is used to indicate that something will be simple or straightforward. For example, “Just add water, and Bob’s your uncle”. But who is Bob, and why is he your uncle? The origins are unclear, but it’s a fun way to say, “And there you have it”.

    2. The bee’s knees

    When something is the “bee’s knees,” it means it’s excellent or of high quality. But why the knees of a bee? This saying likely originated in the 1920s as part of a trend of using animal anatomy in slang. Other similar phrases include “the cat’s pajamas” and “the snake’s hips”.

    3. More holes than Swiss cheese

    If something has “more holes than Swiss cheese,” it means it’s full of flaws or problems. This saying is self-explanatory if you’ve ever seen a slice of Swiss cheese. It’s a humorous way to point out that something isn’t quite up to par.

    4. Bamboozle

    To “bamboozle” someone means to trick or confuse them. This word itself sounds like a bit of a trick, doesn’t it? It’s believed to have originated in the 17th century, and it’s a perfect word to use on April Fool's Day when you’re pulling pranks on your friends.

    5. Fuddy-duddy

    A “fuddy-duddy” is someone who is old-fashioned or fussy. This term is often used affectionately to describe someone who is a bit behind the times. It’s a funny-sounding word that’s sure to bring a smile to your face.

    6. Gobbledygook

    “Gobbledygook” refers to language that is meaningless or hard to understand, often used to describe overly complex jargon. It was coined during World War II by a Texas congressman who compared confusing bureaucratic language to the sound of a turkey’s gobble. It’s a perfect word for describing those moments when someone is talking but you have no idea what they’re saying.

    7. Mad as a hatter

    If someone is “mad as a hatter,” they’re completely crazy. This saying dates back to the 19th century when hat makers (hatters) often suffered from mercury poisoning due to the chemicals used in hat production, leading to erratic behavior. It’s a whimsical way to describe someone who’s a bit off their rocker.

    8. Raining cats and dogs

    When it’s “raining cats and dogs”, it’s raining very heavily. The origins of this saying are unclear, but it’s a vivid and amusing way to describe a downpour. Just imagine cats and dogs falling from the sky!

    9. Lollygag

    To “lollygag” means to dawdle or waste time. It’s a playful word that perfectly captures the essence of goofing off. So, if you find yourself procrastinating today, just tell everyone you’re lollygagging.

    10. The whole shebang

    “The whole shebang” means everything or the entire thing. The origins of “shebang” are uncertain, but it’s a fun and quirky way to refer to the entirety of something. Whether you’re talking about a project, a meal or a party, this phrase adds a bit of flair.

    11. Cat got your tongue?

    When someone is unusually quiet or at a loss for words, you might ask “Cat got your tongue?” This odd saying dates back to the 19th century and is a humorous way to prompt someone to speak up.

    12. As cool as a cucumber

    If someone is “as cool as a cucumber,” they’re very calm and composed, even in stressful situations. This saying is amusing because it compares a person’s demeanor to a vegetable known for its refreshing coolness. It’s a fun way to compliment someone’s ability to stay unruffled.

    How many unusual English sayings do you know?

    English is a wonderfully weird language, full of sayings and words that can leave us amused and bewildered. On this April Fool's Day, we hope you’ve enjoyed this lighthearted look at some of the funniest expressions English has to offer. So go ahead, sprinkle these sayings into your conversations, and share a laugh with your friends. After all, laughter is the best medicine, and today is the perfect day to embrace the humor in our language.