Broaden Horizons: the world as a classroom

'Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living’ - Miriam Beard

In recent years we have moved away from text book classrooms to an education based on experiential learning.  It has been widely acknowledged that we all learn most effectively when we are provided with kinaesthetic opportunities or when we are able to ‘live’ through an experience.

Having recently travelled with my own family, it became increasingly apparent that the learning that was taking place was truly meaningful.  Suddenly an understanding of another religion emerged by living amongst people who lived it daily; an awareness of the impact of the climate was born by experiencing the effects of the heat and an acceptance of social difference seemed a natural conclusion, when surrounded by a culturally diverse environment.

‘Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness’ – Mark Twain

The experience of travelling is one which is described as an education in itself.  Opening children’s eyes to the cultural diversity that exists in the world around them; immersing children into a new language; providing truly experiential learning opportunities by visiting ancient ruins, witnessing coastal erosion and exploring jungle environments.  The richness of this sort of education is what we, as teachers, aspire to provide to all our students in the classroom but what a difference to be able to enable children to really live it out and for their life to be an education without text books….

Many of our clients at Tutoring Futures opt to employ a full time tutor so that they can provide their own children with this form of education.  Travel opportunities arise in life for a variety of reasons and it is through the provision of a private tutor that these families are able to realise their dreams of turning the world into a classroom. Clients are able to accept overseas posts, knowing that their children will make superb academic progress with the full time attention of a teacher.  Taking a jump away from mainstream schooling can feel daunting but the success that results from such travelling opportunities makes it a move worth making.  To awaken a child’s natural curiosity and enable real learning to occur.  Educational enrichment with a fully qualified travelling tutor must surely be an ideal option?