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What Are Other Countries Doing Right? 3 Global Teaching Practices to Explore
- Eduettu
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
In a world of ever-changing curriculum demands, behaviour policies, and digital shifts, it’s easy to feel like teaching is something you just survive. But around the globe, some countries are not only surviving — they’re thriving. Their systems aren’t perfect, but they do offer practical, proven practices that can inspire us to rethink how we teach, learn, and grow. Here are three standout teaching practices from around the world that are worth exploring.
🇯🇵 1. Japan’s “Lesson Study” – Collaborate, Don’t Isolate
In Japan, teaching is treated as a craft to be continuously improved — not just performed. One of the most powerful tools for this is jugyō kenkyū, or Lesson Study.
What is it? A small group of teachers plan a lesson together, one teacher delivers it while others observe, and then they meet again to reflect deeply on what worked, what didn’t, and how learning unfolded for students. It’s not about judging a teacher — it’s about studying the lesson itself.
Why it works:
Focuses on student learning, not teacher performance.
Builds a culture of professional trust and inquiry.
Gives teachers time to think deeply about pedagogy.
Try this: Start small. Team up with one colleague to co-plan and observe a lesson. Debrief over coffee or during PPA. Focus on student response, not delivery style.
🇫🇮 2. Finland’s Trust in Teachers – Fewer Tests, More Autonomy
Finland often ranks near the top in global education comparisons — and it does so without a test-obsessed system. Standardised tests? Just one at age 16. Inspections? None. Instead, the focus is on high-quality teacher training and professional autonomy.
Why it works:
Teachers are trusted to make curriculum decisions that suit their students.
Less time spent on testing means more time for creativity, projects, and reflection.
High job satisfaction and low burnout rates.
Try this: Where possible, give yourself and students more breathing room. Could one homework task become an open-ended project? Could you build more student choice into your next unit?
🇸🇬 3. Singapore’s Coaching Culture – Grow Every Year, Not Just Survive
Singapore treats professional development not as a checkbox, but as a lifelong journey. Every teacher receives 100 hours of PD per year, much of it through instructional coaching and mentoring. Senior teachers take on coaching roles, and career pathways are structured to encourage pedagogical excellence, not just managerial promotions.
Why it works:
Coaching is embedded into school life, not added on.
Early-career teachers get structured support.
Teachers continually refine practice, not just ‘get through’ the year.
Try this: If your school has a coaching program, embrace it. If not, form an informal partnership: one colleague you trust, one goal to work on, one lesson to co-reflect. Growth doesn’t have to wait for a policy.
🌍 Final Thoughts
No system is perfect, and no model is one-size-fits-all. But when we look beyond our borders, we find real teachers, in real classrooms, doing things differently — and doing them well.
Whether it’s slowing down to study a lesson together, trusting your professional instinct, or building coaching into your week, these global practices remind us: teaching is not just a job. It’s a craft. And every craft grows with care, time, and community.
Which of these global practices resonates most with your teaching style — and how might you adapt it to your own classroom or school context? Let us know in the comments below.
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