I Just Lost My Mind Listening to the Cluelessness of the First Lady in China

[wickerwoman]

39. Yep,

the only thing you forgot is the endemic cheating.

All the top Chinese schools teach to an American model so it's a bit silly for an American to go there to learn what's so successful about Chinese schools.

I used to do curriculum design and visiting a number of schools to see how English was taught. Even in one of the better private schools, the method was "teacher stands at the front of the class and says a Chinese word. All of the students say the English word". Repeat for literally four hours.

It was not at all uncommon to meet people with university degrees and 14+ years of English study who couldn't answer questions like "How are you?" or "What do you do for a living?".

On the other hand, I met a lot of great students who really, really genuinely wanted to learn. I think the emphasis in Chinese culture on study, hard work and achievement is generally good although it's also very utilitarian ("I must work hard so I will get a good job and be successful" not "I'd like to learn this because it is intrinsically interesting or will enrich my life&quot .