Case Study | Choithram School

Key learnings

Choithram School was recruited by the British Council to take part in Topical Talk Festival 2024. This case study is a summary of an interview with the class teacher and highlights Topical Talk's adaptability to different educational contexts and timelines.

When the Festival period coincided with assessment periods, teachers innovatively used WhatsApp to distribute Topical Talk resources directly to students at home. This approach maintained engagement and allowed students to participate in Hub discussions even during study leave, showcasing the programme's flexibility.

Students thrived in what the teacher described as "a safe environment where they're not going to be judged. Here they are putting forth their views without their names... they have the independence to express, put forth their perspectives as well as look at the perspectives of their peers." This anonymous format gave students confidence to share their thoughts freely.

The global connectivity proved transformative, with students gaining access to perspectives from 300 classrooms worldwide – a scale of international dialogue they had never experienced before. This global reach significantly enhanced their learning experience compared to traditional classroom discussions.

Despite minimal classroom teaching time, student feedback and data showed comprehensively positive skills development that was above Festival averages. Students demonstrated enhanced speaking skills, improved listening without interruption and stronger critical thinking abilities. Seven to eight students performed exceptionally well, with some revealing writing talents that hadn't been apparent in traditional classroom settings. Students who were typically quiet in class discussions flourished in the written format, demonstrating the programme's ability to unlock different communication strengths.

Teachers believed their adoption of Topical Talk resources contributed to achieving Skills Builder Gold status – an accreditation recognising the embedding of essential skills education, best practice and strong outcomes – showing how the programme aligns with and enhances existing educational frameworks.