Skip to main content

Go to our other sites

Change language / country

Cambridge Assessment International Education

Main navigation

  • About us

    About us

    • What we do
    • Our management team
    • Our regional teams
    • Our standards
    • Careers
    • Examiners
    • Our history
  • Why choose us

    Why choose us

    • Benefits of a Cambridge education
    • Where do Cambridge qualifications take you?
    • Support for schools
    • Information for parents and students
    • Find a Cambridge school
    • Online education
    • Join Cambridge
    • Cambridge Associates
    • The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
    spacer
    Material from Join Cambridge Welcome pack

    Join Cambridge

    Find out how to become a Cambridge school

  • Programmes &
    qualifications

    Programmes & qualifications

    • Cambridge Primary

      • Curriculum
      • Classroom support
      • Assessment
      • Resource list
    • Cambridge Lower Secondary

      • Curriculum
      • Classroom support
      • Assessment
      • Resource list
    • Cambridge Upper Secondary

      • Cambridge IGCSE
      • Cambridge O Level
    • Cambridge Advanced

      • Cambridge International AS & A Level
      • Cambridge Pre-U
      • Cambridge AICE Diploma
      • Cambridge IPQ
    • Other

      • Recognition and acceptance
      • Cambridge Global Perspectives
      • Bilingual education
  • Exam
    administration

    Exam administration

    • Cambridge Exams Officers' Guide

      • Phase 1 - Preparation
      • Phase 2 - Entries
      • Phase 3 - Coursework and Moderation
      • Phase 4 - Before the exam
      • Phase 5 - Exam day
      • Phase 6 - Results and certificates

    Other

      • What to expect on exam day
      • Results
      • Private candidates
  • Support & training
    for schools

    Support & training for schools

    Support and resources

    • Teaching and learning during Covid-19
    • Support for teachers
    • Support for new schools
    • Teaching Cambridge at your school
    • Endorsed resources
    • Communications toolkit

    Professional development and conferences

    • Professional development courses
    • Professional development calendar
    • Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications
    • Cambridge Schools Conference

    Other support

    • Resource Plus
    • Test Maker
    • Cambridge Personal Styles Questionnaire
    • Great teaching toolkit
  • News & blog

    News & blog

    • Latest news
    • Blog
    • Newsletters
    • Sign up to our eNewsletters
    • Media contacts
    • What's new
    spacer
    Cambridge Outlook magazine front cover

    Cambridge Outlook magazine

    Keep up to date with news from Cambridge and its schools around the world.

  • Help

Programmes & Qualifications

  • News
    • Latest news
    • Blog
    • Newsletters
    • Sign up to our eNewsletters
    • Media contacts
    • What's new
  • News
    • Latest news
    • Blog
    • Newsletters
    • Sign up to our eNewsletters
    • Media contacts
    • What's new
  • Home
  • News
  • Lonehill International Primary School in South Africa shares their approach to active learning

Lonehill International Primary School in South Africa shares their approach to active learning

18 Feb 2019

Primary students in a classroom

Cambridge programmes are best taught using an active learning approach. For Cambridge International, active learning means that learners take increasing responsibility for their learning, and that teachers are enablers and activators of learning, rather than lecturers or deliverers of ideas. Encouraging active learning helps students to achieve higher grades, based on their enhanced skills and understanding.

To learn more about how some of our schools approach active learning, we asked Sarnel Holloway, a Stage 3 teacher from Lonehill International Primary School in South Africa, to share her experiences in the classroom.

Tell us a little bit about your school and the level you teach?

'Lonehill International Academy’s inception was in January 2018. Classes are from stage 1 to stage 7 and there is a maximum of 20 students in a class. I teach stage 3.'

What does active learning mean to you?

'Active learning is based on the lesson being student centred and the teacher facilitates the learning process. Active learning engages students in learning, using activities such as reading, writing, discussion or problem solving, which promote analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of class content. Active learning also provides students with an opportunity to provide informal feedback in class, demonstrating their understanding.'

How do you implement it in your classroom and what do you think is unique about your approach?

'Students work in groups and are encouraged to discuss problem solving challenges and content with each other, or to refer to the flip board chart for information, before approaching the teacher for assistance.'

What have been the benefits of this approach to teaching?

'These activities allow student to think independently as well as feel that they are able to make a mistake and revisit the problem without judgement from an adult. Students become less afraid of taking on a challenge and are happy to share their outcomes with the class, thereby developing their ability to communicate their thoughts.'

What advice can you give to other teachers that would like to incorporate active learning techniques in the classroom?

'The best advice is to trust that your students are capable of reaching their potential by helping them find a good level of independence; students will be at different levels and some will require guidance. Avoid rote learning and encourage students to share their understanding of content being taught. Students become reflective of their work and are challenged by themselves to improve. This is further enhanced by holding a student led conference in term two.'

If you’re interested in finding out more about active learning, download the relevant ‘Education Brief’ or ‘Getting Started with’ guide in the Teaching Cambridge at your school section.

About us

  • What we do
  • Help
  • Our social media channels

Useful links

  • Join Cambridge
  • Book a training course
  • Communications toolkit
  • Log in to secure sites
  • Careers
Cambridge University Press & Assessment logo

View Related Sites

  • School Support Hub
  • Cambridge Primary support site
  • Cambridge Lower Secondary support site
  • Cambridge International Direct
  • Submit for Assessment
  • Online Learning – professional development
  • Assessment Specialist support site
  • Online Learning – student support

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023

  • Sitemap
  • ISO 9001 Certificate
  • Privacy and legal
  • Accessibility and standards
  • Statement on Modern Slavery
  • Contact us
Back to top
We use cookies. By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies Accept