Imagining the future
- The future of education lies in striking a balance between hard and soft skills – as the professional landscape evolves, so too must educational approaches
- Soft skills that bind technical expertise and practical application set candidates apart in the crowded job market, making them more adaptable to change
If you could assign a single purpose to educating the next generation, it would have to be to prepare them for the future, no matter what the world looks like. It’s a difficult task with an incredibly broad scope – one that Hong Kong’s international schools are tackling head on. In our ever-changing world, the debate around hard skills versus soft skills has taken centre stage, raising questions about the respective role of each and the ideal balance of the two required for lifelong success.
But first, what exactly do we mean by these terms? “Hard skills” refers to specific, teachable abilities, or knowledge that can be measured and quantified. Traditionally associated with subjects like mathematics and science, hard skills form the backbone of academic learning, providing students with a strong foundation in critical thinking, problem solving and analytical reasoning.
On the other hand, soft skills encompass the interpersonal, social and emotional competencies that enable individuals to work effectively in diverse environments. Often considered more intangible, these skills include communication, collaboration, creativity, adaptability, leadership and emotional intelligence.
It is fairly obvious that most occupations require both soft and hard skills. A doctor for example, needs precise, technical knowledge that comes from years of learning hard skills. But, to progress well in their career, it is essential that they demonstrate soft skills in communication, time management and leadership. More nuanced still, though, is the ability to find an appropriate balance between the two.
For over a decade, the job market has been undergoing a seismic shift – one that became much more pronounced due to the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-08. Gone are the days of a single vocation to see you through your career. What’s more, the roles and responsibilities within a workplace are constantly changing to keep up with the times. According to “The Future of Jobs Report 2023”, released by the World Economic Forum, “Over 85 per cent of organisations surveyed identify increased adoption of new and frontier technologies and broadening digital access as the trends most likely to drive transformation in their organisation.”
The impact for young people studying today is that even if they plan to pursue a single career, over the course of their working life, their role will almost certainly evolve as new technologies and innovations emerge. In an increasingly dynamic job market, it’s clear that even in industries that typically favour hard skills – such as medicine, law and engineering – employers will prefer candidates with a solid soft skill set.
Amanda Shepherd, secondary school principal at the American School Hong Kong (ASHK), emphasises the importance of balance. “Students need to have knowledge and understanding as well as be able to apply this knowledge using skills such as communicating, collaborating, evaluating, and hopefully creating new ideas by synthesising information,” she noted.
In today’s competitive world, success is not just about what one knows, but how effectively that knowledge can be applied. Soft skills are becoming the qualities that set candidates apart in a crowded job market. They are the glue that binds technical expertise and practical application, making individuals more adaptable to the rapidly changing professional landscape.
Different international curricula are approaching the balance between hard and soft skills in distinct ways. The challenge for parents when choosing an international school is to examine not only the curriculum but also the ways in which the syllabus is taught and supplemented with enrichment programmes. The goal here should be to find a well-rounded, holistic education that amplifies students’ strengths and supports their individual needs.
Both the American and British curricula are more geared towards hard skills, giving students the opportunity to specialise by selecting from a wide range of subjects those they would like to study in-depth. Conversely, the International Baccalaureate (IB), with its focus on inquiry-based learning, is more commonly associated with soft skills. Generally speaking, though, Hong Kong’s international schools are well equipped to implement thorough and future-proofed courses, no matter the curriculum.
Students need to have knowledge and understanding as well as be able to apply this knowledge using skills such as communicating, collaborating, evaluating, and hopefully creating new ideas by synthesising information
ASHK, for instance, follows US Common Core Standards but integrates a concept-based approach. As Shepherd explained, “Our inquiry and concept-based approach to teaching and learning promotes the development of 21st century skills to prepare our students for their future, when they will need a balance of soft and hard skills.”
Similarly, the English Schools Foundation (ESF) – which follows the IB curriculum from the Primary Years Programme (PYP) through to the Diploma Programme (IBDP) – emphasises the development of transferable skills alongside building deep conceptual understanding. John Turner, education adviser, secondary, at ESF, highlights the incorporation of interdisciplinary units (IDUs) as well as opportunities for student agency, service and leadership within the IB framework.
Discovery Bay International School (DBIS), which follows the British curriculum for all year groups, also recognises the importance of both hard and soft skills. Peter Roberts, deputy head of secondary, asserted, “Our curriculum is very well aligned vertically, meaning that students enjoy ample breadth in terms of the knowledge, skills and competencies required to access the relevant curriculum.” Additionally, DBIS complements its curriculum with a Learning for Life (L4L) programme, focusing on personal, social, emotional and well-being development.
At German Swiss International School (GSIS), the indispensability of traditional subjects like mathematics and science is emphasised. Grit Cichon, deputy principal and head of the school’s German international stream, noted, “These subjects not only provide a strong academic foundation but also nurture analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a structured approach to learning.”
Educational institutions are acutely aware of the need to strike a balance between hard and soft skills. Cichon, too, underscored the importance of integrating both: “The curriculum at GSIS encompasses not only rigorous academic subjects, but also prioritises the cultivation of soft skills through various extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities and project-based learning experiences.”
As the global paradigm shifts towards an emphasis on soft skills, traditional subjects such as mathematics and science still remain indispensable. Turner from ESF emphasised, “Traditional subjects play a vital role in allowing students to develop transferable skills like leadership and problem solving, which will set them up for success in their future life and career.”
DBIS reinforces this idea, with Roberts stating, “Our secondary curriculum is complemented by our L4L programme, ensuring wider personal, social, emotional and well-being development remains paramount to the learner experience.” It’s evident that such holistic considerations can help ensure students are well equipped for diverse career paths.
The future of education lies in striking a balance between hard and soft skills. As the professional landscape evolves, so too must educational approaches. Schools that understand the symbiotic relationship between traditional subjects and soft skills are best positioned to prepare students not just for exams, but for the dynamic challenges they will face in the real world. On the journey towards holistic education, the synthesis of knowledge and life skills forms the cornerstone of a comprehensive learning experience.
