Should students take the lead in their own learning? The answer is yes. This is the consensus among the companies (exhibitors) participating in Bett Brasil that offer solutions focused on second-language instruction. For them, the trend for the future is a teaching methodology that places students at the center of their own learning and takes their individual learning processes into account. 

“I believe that methodologies that allow students to take an active role in their academic and personal development will undoubtedly be not only a trend but a necessity that must be addressed if we intend to offer a transformative education,” notes Pedro Brandão, General Coordinator of the Be—Bilingual Education Pedagogical Team.

He explains that shifting one’s mindset regarding second-language learning—viewing it as a process of acquiring an additional language—allows learners to expand their linguistic repertoire and worldview beyond what the structure of the language dictates.

Raquel Carlos, academic director at Edify Education, states that students take on this leading role through the use of active methodologies and a hands-on approach, which is supported by the National Common Core Curriculum (BNCC). “Through this concept, we seek to enhance teaching and learning by using methods that motivate students and, above all, make sense in an educational context. We don’t view bilingual education merely as an added burden for parents, students, and even educational institutions,” she said.

Following the same line of reasoning, Fernando Rodrigues, director of operations and pedagogy at Simple Education, also believes that high-quality bilingual methodologies have already adopted the BNCC as a guiding framework. He reinforces the idea of student agency by advocating for the need to bring discussions that reflect students’ real-life experiences into the classroom because, in addition to enriching their English language repertoire, this approach broadens their understanding of the language’s relevance to their daily lives.

Another assessment along these lines comes from members of the Teacher Development team at Cel.Lep, Nancy Lake and Inara Couto. They point out that the most successful methodologies are those that take into account each individual’s learning and literacy process as a human being and seek to help learners build their social, strategic, discursive, and linguistic competencies. “It is necessary to offer multiple opportunities and real, current communication contexts, seeking to help students by developing their communicative competence, while taking their individual pace into account.”

Virgínia Garcia, Vice President of Product and Service Lifecycle & Innovation at the International School, points out that there is no single methodological approach to teaching a second language. “At the International School, we base our approach on the CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) guidelines, UNESCO’s Four Pillars of Education, and the development of social-emotional skills—or 21st-century skills—as well as active teaching methods such as blended learning, problem-based learning, the flipped classroom, project-based learning, and peer instruction, among others. We also ensure that teachers receive the necessary training and professional development so that the bilingual program can be successfully implemented,” said Virgínia.

Expectations for Bett Brasil - Another point everyone agrees on is the high level of anticipation for the return of in-person Bett Brasil at its next edition in May. “After the social distancing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, participating in an event like Bett Educar is an incredible opportunity,” said the academic director at Edify Education. 

Brandão highlighted the opportunity to keep up with educational trends conceived and implemented by Brazilians, who stand out in both the domestic and international markets. For the Cel.Lep team, the event will demonstrate how technology can and should be used as a tool to humanize learning, while respecting and adapting to this new “old reality” of in-person instruction.

For his part, the director of operations and pedagogy at Simple Education believes that the public will be more open to innovations aimed at resuming the growth that was temporarily halted by the pandemic. “Schools are more aware of the need for hybrid solutions and are prepared to meet students where they are, incorporating new ideas and discussions. Thus, we expect to find an audience at the fair eager to pursue this resilience in their business models, thereby expanding their competitive advantages,” concluded Rodrigues.

Virginia, who attended Bett London in March, shares her expectations for Bett Brasil 2022. “At Bett Brasil, I hope to find the same sense of wonder and excitement. We have to give it our all as we return to in-person or hybrid education. We have to bring to schools, teachers, and students our faith and hope for better days at the end of the pandemic—which isn’t over yet, but which we hope is very close to ending. Without a doubt, it will be exciting and motivating to be at the event again,” she concluded.