# Introduction: What are Approaches to Learning?

The Approaches to Learning (ATLs) are key in all four IB programmes. These are the skills we want students to have to be successful learners. The IB says these skills help students 'learn to learn' and so are closely tied to the IB's mission to create lifelong learners. The ATLs in the MYP also help prepare students for the rigorous academic CP (Career-related Programme) and DP (Diploma Programme), as well as university courses.

> They provide a solid foundation for learning independently and with others. ATL skills help students prepare for, and demonstrate learning through, meaningful assessment. They provide a common language that students and teachers can use to reflect on, and articulate on, the process of learning. **From Principles into Practice**.

> The ATLs are broken down into five main categories: **communication, social, self-management, research and thinking skills**. Within those main categories, there are ten MYP ATL skill clusters:

![](/files/-MdTEtS2r7P3JpKqEWuu)

| ATL Skill Category | MYP ATL Skill Clusters                                          |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Communication      | Communication                                                   |
| Social             | Collaboration                                                   |
| Self-Management    | <p>Organisation</p><p>Affective</p><p>Reflective</p>            |
| Research           | <p>Information literacy</p><p>Media literacy</p>                |
| Thinking Skills    | <p>Critical thinking</p><p>Creative thinking</p><p>Transfer</p> |

![](/files/-MdTF3ByRdsmEsoi2wGB)

The IB then breaks those skills down even further into many sub-skills. Teachers/schools often worry that they must teach all these skills to students, but they are in fact just suggested skills. Teachers pick the skills that are most relevant to their context. What is important is that students get a chance to practice these skills and that they are taught explicitly.&#x20;

> All teachers in MYP schools are responsible for integrating and explicitly teaching ATL skills. \
> **From Principled into Practice**

{% embed url="<https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MQXvfsLdRw5DeGgwusLAPnRQvb3c6SogQ3k23IfAXc8/edit?usp=sharing>" %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://guide.fariaedu.com/myp-approaches-to-teaching-and-learning/introduction-what-are-approaches-to-learning.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.