Different teaching methods bring different influences

Best Prepared Speeker of 43th XDF TMC

原创作者：石雅萱 Angelia

We have always heard that the teaching method from other foreign countries are quite different from Chinese schools. Some differences are very obvious, while others are quite subtle but the influences are deep. It is lucky for me to have the chance to know how the teaching methods have been conducted in different countries. Tonight, I am very happy to demonstrate these differences and their influences to all of you.

One obvious difference is that most of the students in China study a lot from elementary school to high school. They have to memorize Chinese poems, do a lot of homework of math after school and prepare for the examination every day. Now we have 10 classes everyday and at least two examinations in order to prepare for the high school entrance examination. In the meantime, a lot of people told me that in foreign country, they only had 6 classes per day and had more than 1 hour to join the club or play sports after school. Their courses were easier than ours and after they finished primary school, they even couldn’t count the number till 100. These are the differences. However, I also discovered other important difference in the program.

PE Class

The first story happened in PE class. As we all knew that before we graduated from Junior high school, we had to pass a PE test. It’s a part of the entrance examination and Chinese students prepared it for a long time because they had to run 800 meters or 1000 meters within a short time. Chinese teacher brought this test to UK and a PE teacher cooperated with a local teacher in order to help students to make their records. One boy in the class cried before he took this test. He told the teacher like this. I never did such a difficult test; 1000 meters can you believe it? I can’t do it. I am afraid. This boy was a lit bit heavy and he did like running. However, he was good at learning science and math. Although he was afraid he still finished this test and cried on the track again. In China, if our PE teachers see that we are crying he or she must says that you have to practice after school if you want to improve. You are not hard-working enough! They always tell us something like this. But can you guess what did the British teacher say? Don’t worry about this test. You are not too bad to finish it. You see your science score is higher right ? I know you did a good job. She just encouraged this boy and later he had the classes with a big smile again. I always believe a encouraging is the most important power for students because they know they are not too bad and they are special so they would like to learn well.

Small Class

The second thing I found special in this program is that British teacher would like to teach in a small class instead of a class which had 50 students. They had some unique ways to have activities in class. To be honest, I’d like to have courses in small size class. Like in XDF, our class only has 5 students, we can remember each others’ name and after having classes together we become friends. What’s more, in the class, especially in speaking or writing class, we can answer the question one by one and we have more time and opportunities to have discussion. As for me, I can remember a lot in a short time by talking and discussing. When we are tired about the topics, our teachers just call our names and thus we can concentrate better on what they are talking about. In contrast, in a big classroom with other 49 students, I can’t focus on the black board. I want to send some paper massagers to my desk mates or have some snacks when our teacher is writing or talking. Our study efficiency decreases a lot by having class with a bunch of students.

In general, these are my ideas about this program. When I have some problems, I'd like to know that I am still a fantastic students, like British students they think they are special, they have their unique features. So they are confident and have a sense of achievement when they are studying. Moreover, in small groups British students cooperate together and help each other to learn well. The differences are small but the influences are huge!