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Learning can be so much fun
By Doris Zhao |
January 30, 2013, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
I have been teaching Mandarin at Concordia International School Shanghai for nine years. Before that, I attended Chinese schools and university where lecturing was the dominant teaching strategy. When I got to work, many friends asked me what an American classroom looks like, and the first words that came to mind was "student centered."
Facilities in the classrooms are learning friendly. Projector, surround amplifier, printer, colored construction paper, colored pencils and a wide variety of books are handy for any creative projects.
Yes, students here like games and activities when they are learning. They are more motivated working in groups than with pencil-and-paper tasks. Even in my high school classes, students enjoy making posters and making movies with their MacBooks. Debates also excite them. I use all of these tools.
My most memorable cooking story took place when our new high school building was first fitted with a well-equipped kitchen. Students and teachers were excited and soon my students had a cooking class. One group did fried noodles, and being less experienced, put too much oil in the pan, causing smoke. Unexpectedly, the new fire alarm sounded loudly and repeatedly. I later found out the ventilator was not turned on. The building had been evacuated. I saw the head of school, principals and business manager all head to the kitchen. I thought they might be mad at me. Ten minutes later, the alarm was off and we returned to the kitchen. To my surprise, Mr Harris, the principal, said in a cheerful voice, "Hi guys, keep on cooking and have fun." I sighed with relief. Even our principal understood that having fun is important when learning.
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