At United Lisbon, we believe that language plays a central role in all learning across the curriculum and that it develops through meaningful and purposeful use. We realize that language is neither learned sequentially nor follows a strict pattern. It is learned by using and exploring language in its many forms, and it is best acquired in the context of a positive and supportive, yet challenging and motivating, environment. We feel strongly that it enhances students' flexibility of mind, supports conceptual development, and develops analytical and creative thinking skills. Language fosters an awareness and understanding of the perspective of people from other cultures and one’s own culture. It also helps to develop internationally minded learners.
Language learning should be relevant, engaging, challenging, and significant. It is a social act dependent on its environment and context. One of our goals at ULIS is for every student to be grounded in two or more languages. Students vary in their ability to learn a language, and they acquire language at different rates. United Lisbon will support students throughout the learning process regardless of their language proficiency level. We believe that differentiation is one of the fundamental processes in the teaching and learning of language, as it will help deepen student understanding and increase proficiency. Finally, we believe that language acquisition occurs along a continuum and that everyone must be allowed to progress at their own rate.
We believe:
• All teachers at United Lisbon are teachers of language
• Language is central to all learning; intellectual, social-emotional development, sense of self, and cultural identity
• In a balanced approach to literacy
• Home language development promotes successful academic, social-emotional, and cognitive development
• Learning additional languages is a valuable tool for learning and for building connections
• Home-school partnerships support both home language and additional language development
• In providing access to literature and media in multiple languages
• In the importance of developing knowledge of the culture and language of our host country
At United Lisbon, our student population represents a rich variety of nations, languages, and cultural backgrounds. We believe that students identified as needing English language support need to be in the mainstream classroom as much as possible to facilitate both English acquisition and equitable access to the curriculum. Therefore, we use an approach known as the Sheltered-Immersion Model, where students attend the same classes as native or near-native speakers of English.
We seek certified teachers excited about joining and helping develop a new school in the heart of Lisbon. With our vision to empower and inspire the young generation for a sustainable world, we seek to provide rigorous educational programs and instill skills and values the young generation will need to be successful in tomorrow’s world of the 21st century.
Consideration will be given to candidates who:
• Bring the excitement and ability to collaborate with the United Lisbon team to develop an inquiry-based curriculum;
• Have training and/or experience with the Common Ground Collaborative, Microsoft Innovative Educator Program, IB approach, Understanding by Design (UbD), or similar programs;
• Have experience with IPT, Sheltered Immersion, and Co-teaching.
• Differentiates and personalizes learning for all learners;
• Values diversity, equity, and inclusion and creates a respectful, safe, and positive learning environment;
• Use student-centered instructional strategies and activities, including student-developed projects of interest;
• Approach unit and lesson planning with the Common Ground Collaborative lens of Conceptual, Competency, and Character learning;
• Use a toolkit of ongoing and cumulative strategies for assessing, recording, and reporting as learning and for learning;
• Are comfortable and adept at integrating technology and digital resources to modify and redefine learning;
• Value, seek and use student feedback;
• Collaborate willingly with colleagues, administration, parents, and students;
• Demonstrate initiative, creativity, critical thinking, and a growth mindset;
• Demonstrate the desire for on-going professional growth.
United Lisbon representatives will be interviewing at the ISS Schrole online recruitment fairs in December, January, and February.