Cram School

I happened upon this couplet of words in my Kindergarten curriculum yesterday afternoon for the first time. I decided I would look it up online to see what I could find. Because Wikipedia and other online encyclopedias alike are blocked by the Chinese government, this was all the information I could find on Cram School. I encourage you to use your resources to find out more information if you're interested. The following information came from http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Cram_school.

Cram school, also referred to as supplementary education or tutorials, is a kind of private school that provides highly organized lessons conducted after regular school hours and on weekends. A cram school, as the name suggests, aims at conveying as much information which is related to particular examinations to students as possible in a short period of time. The training in cram school, especially in an academic approach, places the emphasis on filling students’ heads with all the materials that are considered necessary for particular examinations. The students who attend the supplementary courses are trained to memorize the materials and master the skills needed for answering questions without critical thinking. Hence, cram schools are sometimes criticized for the lack of education their students receive in critical thinking and analysis.

Chinese culture values academic success and the administration system for selecting capable persons; the modern social structure in transition can be regarded as a latent factor which indirectly support cram school. For example, Confucian beliefs about the role of hard work and ability in academic achievement point to education as critical in the future of children. Therefore, parents in traditional Chinese society think highly on children’s scholastic achievement because academic achievement is regarded as one of critical factors which impact children’s future career development.

The growing popularity of cram schools can be attributed to the parents’ belief that children can benefit from joining extra-curricular programs. With the growing importance of competitive entrance examinations in gaining admission to prestigious senior high schools and universities, parents tend to enroll their children in supplementary programs to enhance their performance in examinations, especially when their children enter middle school. Even though the tuition at cram school is high, most parents are willing to pay because it will help their children’s success in life.

In addition to Chinese cultural and parent’s beliefs in academic success, the competitive entrance examinations for getting into a prestigious university and high school is one of the essential factors which support cram schools. In Taiwan, most students entering high schools or universities are determined by their performances in examination. The subjects tested in entrance examinations are Chinese, mathematics, science, social studies, and English. Due to the prospect of getting a good job depends on the school attended; success or failure on an entrance examination may impact a student's future. Thus, as students experience the pressure of entrance examination, they would like to attend supplementary school for practice tests. At this aspect, a cram school plays the role to provide organized materials and intensive training to help students to pass the examinations.

For the purpose of helping the students succeed in examinations, direct instruction is commonly considered the most effective instructional method used in cram schools...the typical teaching process involves (1) lecturing and organized materials are provided for students, and the material taught in the two kinds of cram schools above are closely related to the school syllabus, (2) students are required to practice with various types of problems similar to those used in tests, and (3) repeated drills and tests.

In nonacademic-oriented cram schools, teachers frequently adapt the materials to fit individual student’s needs and interests, however, in regular schools, teachers just follow the standard curriculum. In many cases, the lessons studied in nonacademic-oriented cram schools provide an intellectual challenge for students, some students therefore enjoy engaging in these programs.

Most children go as early as three years old, so as to be sure to qualify for the top kindergartens.

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Suzhou Part IV: The Silk Factory

The silk factory is one of the neatest things I've seen. We walked through the steps of how the silk of hundreds of little silkworms becomes a robe, a quilt, or a scarf, just to name a few. I was very impressed.
On our way in, we stopped at a street market outside of the factory. I have great bargaining skills, though not very admirable traffic-directing skills. :) Can you find me?? (I added another silly picture from the Garden to this blog as well)

Suzhou Part III: Garden

Suzhou Part II: Buddhist Temple

Suzhou Part I: Tiger Hill Pagota

This structure is over a thousand years old. It's called Tiger Hill because the hill it sits on (from a distance) looks like the body of a tiger. In one picture you can see that the pagota is actually leaning... The group of us took a picture at the entrance at the bottom of the hill. That is the original entrance. On the way out of Tiger Hill, we stopped to shoot some bow and arrows. There were booths set up in celebration of National Day.

National Day in China

October 1, National Day of the People's Republic of China
From Sara Naumann

"The People's Central Government of PRC is the only legal government to stand for all people of PRC. Our government is willing to establish diplomatic relationship with any foreign government that agrees to abide by the principles of equality, mutual benefit, mutual respect for territorial integrity..."
-Chairman Mao Zedong from the Announcement of the People's Central Government of PRC

The PRC's National Day was declared at three o'clock on October 1, 1949, in front of 300,000 people during a ceremony in Tian'anmen Squeare. Chairman Mao declared the founding of the People's Republic and waved the first five-star PRC flag.

In past times, the day was marked by large political gatherings and speeches, military parades, state banquets and the like. Since 2000, as China's economy developed, the national holiday lasts seven days and most workers are given time off to visit relatives and take time for traveling.

With a week off, many Chinese travel domestically and internationally. Travel fares double and triple and advance bookings must be made weeks, even months ahead for international travel. Hoards of tour groups flock to the major tourist destinations of China, so you can forget having a quite moment to ponder how the Great Wall was built.

If you can avoid it, it's advisable not to travel domestically during the week around October 1st. The latest statistics released publicly are from 2000 but according to these, 59.82 million people traveled during National Day holidays that year. Over two-thirds of all hotel beds were booked in major tourist destinations such as Beijing and Shanghai. However, if you are in China, you'll find the weather is usually very nice, and after October 1, almost everything from shops and restaurants to the post office will be open for business." (end)
www.about.com

Suzhou, China
Most of the teachers at SMIC are traveling to other parts of Asia this week, like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam... I decided to stay here in the apartment and take a few day trips to other cities in China. Wednesday, I'll be traveling to Suzhou (pronounced Soo' Joe). Suzhou is referred to as the "backyard of China" and is on the map at the top of this entry. It's very close to Shanghai in relation to the rest of China, only north about 2 hours. It's known for it's silk markets and it's beautiful gardens. I'm headed there with 5 other people. The good news is: the tour is for just the six of us; no big groups that have to follow a man in a khaki jumpsuit with a microphone, a straw hat and a big blue flag. Plus, it will be in English. The bad news is: We have to leave at 6:30am. At least we'll get there and have the whole day to shop - I mean, uh.... look around and admire all the pretty flowers.

This week will be nice to just unwind and relax, get caught up on some lesson planning, and spend some time in the Truth. It's going to be a great week!

E

Fridays with Emily

Every Friday afternoon from 1:00-2:30pm, I have what is called Language Exchange: I meet with six Chinese kindergarten teachers in my classroom and teach them English. We sit in kindergarten chairs around a kindergarten table. These six teachers - Demi, Tacey, Lisa, Lucy, Alice and Sherry - already have a pretty good command of the English language in its written form, being able to read and write fairly well. However, the girls need help with speaking. I prepare a separate lesson plan for them from a book I found to be oh so handy in the Elementary School library. We have met three times so far - the first week was spent on introductions and getting to know each other. I also prepared for them a test so I could gage how much English they already knew. The second week, we talked about our families. I made a family tree and described my family to the girls. It was funny to see them compile their own family tree. Lucy needed another sheet of paper to connect horizontally to her already busy piece of paper. She looked at me and said, "I need more branches!" My girls are really funny and want to know all kinds of slang. I tell them that since I'm from Texas, my slang will be different from other parts of the country. Needless to say, they now tell me Howdy every time they see me in the hallways with their classes.

Since this is called Language Exchange, the girls also teach me Chinese. Two of them come to my apartment on Sunday after lunch for an hour to help reinforce the things I am already learning every Monday and Thursday afternoons in our free company Chinese classes. One of the two who come has a husband and a young daughter, so coming to my apartment means a great deal to me. She wants to see me succeed in the Chinese culture, so she's willing to help out however she can.

Starting this Sunday, I will be adding on another "class" of students. One of my Language Exchange teachers, Sherry, has a daughter who is eight years old. She's in 3rd grade, but at a Kindergarten level of English and needs a tutor. Sherry asked me if I'd be willing to tutor her daughter and three of her daughter's friends on Sunday nights. Sherry will prepare dinner for me in her home beforehand. Luckily, Sherry asked me what kinds of foods I like. She also told me that I need to try new foods, so I'll be blogging about those adventures. Heh.

I am very thankful for my group of teachers; it's a great way to build relationships and experience a pebble on this mountain called Chinese Culture.