A new edition of the ISP Virtual Buddy Exchange begins
Belonging to the International Schools Partnership has many advantages. This year our students can participate in the ISP Virtual Buddy Exchange Program, an eight-week international initiative that consists of weekly 45-minute video calls with other ISP students around the world and is designed for students between the ages of 12 and 17.
The VBEP offers a unique international and cultural experience. During the videoconferences, the students will have the opportunity to present and discuss current issues for teens. It allows students to develop their language and communication skills, while learning about other cultures and making long-term friendships around the world. It is an experience that offers students incredible and diverse learning opportunities in a safe and secure online environment.
Communicating in English with other ISP students and peers is a valuable way to meet new people and practice being fluent, and while it can be challenging at times, it is a good way to give students the opportunity to improve their skills. Language skills, develop your confidence and increase cultural awareness, as well as improve presentation skills.
Each week all students are randomly matched, giving them a unique opportunity to meet eight different classmates from around the world.
The VBEP was launched in May 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to give our students the opportunity to reach out beyond their own school community so that they could practise their language, presentation and personal skills in English. The programme was a huge success in terms of popularity and obtaining its key outcomes; knowing more about different cultures, building language skills and developing understanding of students’ own strengths and areas for getting better. Connecting 72 students, across 27 schools in 11 countries, there were a grand total of 135 hours of amazing virtual learning. To get a real flavour for the programme you can watch the ‘golden moments’ in this informative and entertaining VBEP Wrap-up Video.
