Taking a Language Test
If you're searching for an international school in malaysia , look no further! This article will tell you about the details of one of the best International Schools in Malaysia – Damai International School.
A Brief History Of Damai
Damai was established in 1975, and is one of the most prestigious international schools in Malaysia. It is consistently rated as one of the best in the country for both teaching and student experience. Damai is also consistently ranked among the top 10 International Schools in Southeast Asia.
The school is owned and run by the Malaysian Chinese Association, and follows the teachings of the Association's motto ‘Canggu Damai' (‘Friendship Towards All').
Damai hosts the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. The IB Diploma Programme is an international qualification that is accepted around the world. Students who achieve this qualification are known as ‘Diploma Shifters', and they are regularly sought after by universities and major employers around the world. The school also offers the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and the Cambridge Asian High School Certificate (CAHSC).
Damai International School's Location
Damai is in the Malaysian Prime Minister's constituency of Canggu. This is one of the most prestigious locations in the country and is known for its beautiful and serene beaches. It is also within walking distance of some of the most well-known attractions in the area including: Pura Tanjung Puteri, Madura Park, and Labuan's Turtle Farm. Students regularly commute to and from school by foot, bike, or bus. There is also a railway station within walking distance from the school that provides direct routes to Kuala Lumpur and Labuan islands.
The Canggu Centre is also within walking distance, providing a direct route to the TGI Friday's, Waterfall Mall, and other amenities. There are also numerous small local boutiques, cafes, and restaurants close to the school that provide an eclectic range of local flavours for hungry students.
Damai International School's Curriculum
Damai is well-known for its International Baccalaureate programme. Students follow a rigorous curriculum that includes language studies, Science subjects, and Creative Arts. The school also encourages students to engage with local community members, and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities from cultural exchanges to sports teams. Many of the school's pupils also take advantage of the diverse range of coursework that is provided, and follow a dual-campus system, with one campus for the IB programme, and the other for the rest of the school's curriculum.
As well as English, students also have the option of taking one of two ‘continental' language tests before the start of each school year. These allow students to develop an additional two foreign languages alongside their English-taught subjects. Students choose from either French or German as their ‘continent', and have the option of taking the intermediate or advanced level test. The advanced language test takes three years to complete, while the intermediate language test requires one year. Students who successfully complete the intermediate language test are allowed to choose between Italian or Spanish as their next ‘continent'.
Damai also offers the International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE) as a curriculum, leading to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCS), and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The school is registered with the International Board of Education as an IB World School, offering students from pre-school to post-graduate the opportunity to study around the world. Through the school's partnership with the University of Cambridge, Damai also offers the Cambridge High School Diploma (CHSD) to its students.
Damai International School's Facilities
Damai is a large school with over 10,400 students currently enrolled. It has a broad sporting pitch, eight marked tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, and a fully equipped fitness centre. There is also a comprehensive library that houses over 50,000 volumes. Many of the school's facilities are also available for public use. For instance, the swimming pool is open on weekdays from 08:00 to 18:00, and on weekends and school holidays from 08:00 to 21:00.
As well as these indoor facilities, Damai also has a large playing field located outside the school. This is typically used for sports during the school day, however, the field can also be used for outdoor activities on weekends and school holidays. There is a marked tennis court, football pitch, and basketball court located here as well as a multi-purpose sports hall. This is also the location of Damai's annual ‘Lawn Tennis Tournament' that is regularly attended by family and friends. The school also provides an English-taught A-Level in Sports Co-ordination and Performance that is open to talented students around the world.
Damai International School's Admission Process
Damai is a highly selective school, with most applicants being accepted. One of the reasons for this is that the school tends to attract students from well-heeled families who can afford the expensive fees charged. Successful applicants are then placed on a waiting list, and often have to apply for and be accepted to a secondary school within the same consortium before being admitted to the IB programme. Students who do not meet the entrance requirements for secondary schools can then apply to attend the International Baccalaureate Department. Successful applicants here are then admitted to Damai as an IB candidate.
Damai also accepts overseas students who meet the English language requirements. Many students come from countries such as India, Bangladesh, and China, where English is widely spoken. In most cases, these students will be eligible to apply for an IB ‘Global Studies' course, where they can study a range of subjects through an English-taught A-Level. Students who do not meet the English language requirements for an IB course can then study the majority of their A-Level subjects in English, with the exception of two or three courses that are taken in either French or German. In these cases, the English test is replaced with a French or German test. Students who successfully complete the IB Diploma are then eligible to apply for post-graduate study in any subject area at a top international university. Many of Damai's alumni have proceeded to study and train in some of the most renowned international universities in the world, including: Harvard University, Oxford University, and the University of Cambridge. Students who do not meet the English language requirements for an IB course can then study the majority of their A-Level subjects in English, with the exception of two or three courses that are taken in either French or German.
Damai International School's Staff
Damai has a large and experienced teaching staff. Most of the teaching staff are British, with the majority having received their training in Britain’s top universities. The school provides bachelors and masters degrees in partnership with the University of Cambridge. Some of the staff are also highly qualified: many have a PhD from a top British university, and a number of teachers are also trained in either Scotland or Wales. Damai is also well-stocked with experienced senior lecturers and academic staff who have been to the school and seen first-hand the rigours of the IB programme. Many of these tutors are also IB certified teachers. Finally, Damai has a large number of experienced IB examinators who assist the school in delivering the tough exams that are necessary for securing a good score on the programme's international examinations. These examiners have all worked hard to ensure that Damai continues to rank as one of Malaysia's best schools. Many of the teaching staff have also been involved in the administration of the school, with some holding senior positions such as Head of School or Dean of Studies. Some of Damai's teaching staff are truly distinguished figures in their field. For example, Richard Simmons is a world-class expert in the field of educational technology and has been involved in the introduction of innovative teaching and learning tools at the school. He previously headed the department of education in Malaysia, and was responsible for the country's first e-learning programme. Richard's expertise has enabled the school to purchase and implement numerous technological devices and software for use in teaching and learning. These include: BlackBerries, iPad tablets, and MacBooks.