Ep 58: What it means to be a 'good reader' across different languages and cultures

Today we're going to be talking about reading! Across languages and cultures, reading looks different. It might be silent or shared aloud. It might happen on paper, on a screen, or through memory, performance and storytelling. For millions of people, reading is multilingual, communal and deeply woven into everyday life. Some recent reports suggest, however, that fewer people are reading long texts than was the case before the invention of social media. Your host for this episode is Paul Ellis, Head of Thought Leadership at Cambridge. He is joined by Nayla Aramouni, Curriculum Programmes Manager. Show notes:  Cambridge Reading Adventures guided reading programme - https://www.cambridge.org/education/subject/english/literacy/cambridge-reading-adventures Cambridge Phonics and Handwriting - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-early-years/curriculum/phonics-and-handwriting/  

Today, we're exploring the skills that prepare learners for life. These are abilities that go far beyond the classroom, such as critical thinking, resilience, collaboration, independence, and empathy. We'll be focusing on two brilliant initiatives that nurture these skills: Cambridge Global Perspectives and the Junior Duke Award. Together, they're equipping learners around the world with the confidence and capability to succeed in school, at home, and in the wider world. Your host for this episode is Paul Ellis, Head of Thought Leadership at Cambridge. He is joined by Rebecca Watkins-Wright, Curriculum Development Manager for Cambridge Global Perspectives, and Dawn Waugh, a former teacher and the founder of the Junior Duke Award. Show notes:  Cambridge Global Perspectives: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-global-perspectives/ Junior Duke Award: https://juniorduke.com/ Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/ Video pod and transcript: https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/brighter-thinking-pod-preparing-students-global-perspectives-junior-duke-award      

Today, we're going to be talking about digital literacy, taking a closer look at our updated Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Digital Literacy curriculum. Specifically, we'll be asking the question: how do we help young learners thrive in a world shaped by AI without losing their curiosity, agency, or authentic voice? Your host for this episode is Cambridge Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by two special guests: Beverly Clarke, author of Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Digital Literacy, and Nadja Djordjevic, a Digital Literacy Teacher at Savremena osnovna škola in Belgrade, Serbia. Show notes:  Cambridge Primary Digital Literacy - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-primary/curriculum/digital-literacy/ Cambridge Lower Secondary Digital Literacy - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-lower-secondary/curriculum/digital-literacy/  

Today, we're discussing knowledge and skills in preparing students for the future – which is more important? Can they be separated? And do we still need subject knowledge in the age of AI? Your host for this episode is Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by Abbi Barnett, Director of Cambridge 3–19 Curriculum, and Irenka Suto, Head of Secondary Curriculum. Show notes: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/ Brighter Thinking Pod episode 53: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2IbUaD80-Y&list=PLi4xGU_d7k_KkGCe3ZD5pOr59F-DIWHBn&index=3 Brighter Thinking Pod episode 54: Do students feel prepared for the future? https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/2026/01/23/brighter-thinking-pod-ep-54-do-students-feel-prepared-for-the-future/    

At Cambridge, we recently published a report titled Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world. The report captures the voices of thousands of teachers and students from around the world, offering a wealth of perspectives on readiness for the future from those at the heart of education. Today, we're speaking to two Cambridge students – Nadine and Stepan – who contributed to the report. We'll be talking about their studies and how well prepared they feel for life beyond school. Show notes Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/ ADKAR model for managing change: https://www.prosci.com/methodology/adkar Model United Nations: https://www.un.org/en/mun Cambridge Global Perspectives: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-global-perspectives/  

Today, we are launching a new report looking at how students across 150 countries are prepared for the next step in their education journey and for the future beyond education in a rapidly changing world. Navigating the future: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world, draws on responses from 3,021 teachers and 3,840 students worldwide and 50 experts with profound insight.  Here to talk us through the research is host and Education Futures Manager at Cambridge, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by a very special guest, Group Managing Director of International Education, Rod Smith.   Show notes:  Navigating the future: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: www.cambridge.org/future-ready-learners Watch this episode on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/g2IbUaD80-Y  

Welcome back! Today we're talking all about Early Years education and will be giving you tips on topics from play-based learning to language support.  Your host for this episode is Jemma Joakim, Head of Early Years and Primary Curriculum at Cambridge. She is speaking to two special guests about their experiences of teaching the Cambridge Early Years programme. Aisha El-Sayed is KG Principal at English Modern School, Qatar, and Aiah Elghobashy is a Teaching and Learning Coordinator, also at English Modern School.  Show notes:  Brighter Thinking Pod, Ep 45: Early Years Teaching and Learning - https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/2024/07/03/brighter-thinking-pod-early-years-teaching-learning/ Cambridge Early Years programme - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-early-years/ Cambridge Early Years teaching and learning resources - https://www.cambridge.org/education/subject/early-childhood-education/cambridge-early-years English Modern School, Qatar - https://www.englishmodernschool.net/emswakra/ Developing the Cambridge Learner Attributes - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/support-and-training-for-schools/leading-learning-and-teaching-with-cambridge/curriculum/cambridge-learner-attributes/  

Today, we're talking about inclusive education - what is it? What are the benefits of it as a teaching approach? And what are the misconceptions?   Our host for this episode is Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by Lilian Dogiama, Head of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, and Lauren Woods, Assessment Accessibility Advisor – both from the International Education group here at Cambridge.   Show notes:  Cambridge Getting Started with Inclusive Education guide - https://cambridge-community.org.uk/professional-development/gswied Cambridge inclusive education and accessibility web pages -  https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/why-choose-us/inclusive-education-accessibility/inclusive-education/ Cambridge Education Brief - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/599369-education-brief-inclusive-education.pdf The Cambridge Latin Course Fifth edition: a more reflective and diverse exploration of the ancient world - https://www.cambridge.org/gb/files/6416/5761/8336/Cambridge_Latin_Course_-_key_changes_and_context.pdf The Cambridge Handbook 2025 - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/723185-cambridge-handbook-2025.pdf      

In this episode we hear from teachers around the world about their perceptions on artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. Are they more excited or sceptical? And where do they think it can provide the most value to teaching and learning?  Our host for this episode is our very own Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by two special guests. Rachel Logan, School Liaison & Insight Manager, and Andrew Field, Senior Education Manager, both from the Insight, Ideation & Impact team at Cambridge.    Show notes Cambridge learner attributes - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/support-and-training-for-schools/leading-learning-and-teaching-with-cambridge/curriculum/cambridge-learner-attributes Getting started with AI in the classroom guide from Cambridge - https://www.cambridge-community.org.uk/professional-development/gswaic/ Getting started with AI in the classroom Cambridge Schools Conference session video - https://bit.ly/GSWAI_conference Artificial intelligence in education: Working with our Cambridge community of schools to explore the opportunities and challenges in classrooms - https://blog.cambridgeinternational.org/artificial-intelligence-in-education-working-with-our-cambridge-community-of-schools-to-explore-the-opportunities-and-challenges-in-classrooms/ Cambridge Outlook magazine issue 45: Digital Exams and AI special edition - https://www.calameo.com/cupeducation/read/006433997b541737cb1b1  

In this episode we explore online schools, taking a closer look at the benefits, the challenges and the students who flourish there.  Our host for this episode is producer of the podcast, Adam Steele. He is joined by Louis Bone, Online Schools Development Manager at Cambridge, and Catriona Olsen, Executive Head Teacher of the online school, King's InterHigh. Show notes: kingsinterhigh.co.uk Global Online Education Market Report by Type, Provider, Technology, Region and Company Analysis - https://www.researchandmarkets.com/report/online-education?srsltid=AfmBOorCAOTGDcefbOZf2cLFfRQpo1qs3pWFkj-Z-85_IACfdSeR7XZ8 How will higher education be different in 2030? https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/future-higher-education Student satisfaction with online learning improving, says survey - https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/student-satisfaction-online-learning-improving-says-survey Cambridge Brighter Thinking Pod ep: 22 - Online Teaching and Learning - https://brighterthinkingpod.libsyn.com/ep-22-teaching-remotely Getting started with Online Teaching and Learning - https://cambridge-community.org.uk/professional-development/gswotl/index.html Nurturing Wellbeing: Can Online Schools address the needs of students? https://blog.cambridgeinternational.org/nurturing-wellbeing-can-online-schools-address-the-needs-of-students/ The Cambridge Wellbeing Check - https://www.cem.org/wellbeing Online education: Why choose an online education? https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/why-choose-us/online-education/ What can online schools teach us about inclusive education and supporting the diversity of our learners? https://blog.cambridgeinternational.org/what-online-schools-teach-about-inclusive-education/