In the Classroom
In the Classroom
Low-income children in China enter the classroom with additional challenges. Poverty, cultural marginalization, language barriers, and unsupportive home environments are all factors that can undermine student success.
It is critical that these high-risk students have supportive teachers in the classroom who go beyond traditional expectations. That is why Teach for China Fellows work tirelessly to improve student performance, cultivate student aspirations, and invest placement communities in the educational process. Teach For China is pioneering a new approach to eliminating Chinese educational inequity by providing:
A student-centered approach to education
In recent years, Chinese government at the central and provincial levels has begun to promote the use of modern pedagogical practices, which emphasize the importance of student-centered approaches to learning. A student-centered approach incorporates clear goal setting, student interaction, and student empowerment. While studies demonstrate that student-centered approaches to learning are more effective than traditional systems of rote memorization and teacher-centered approaches, these advances are often not instituted in rural districts due to a lack of resources.
With the support of government partners, Teach for China provides enthusiastic, inspirational teachers who are trained in and committed to student-centered classrooms. While preparing students for national examinations, our Fellows emphasize the importance of total engagement with class material. Learning is maximized through a variety of approaches and activities that bring creativity and cooperation to the classroom.
Core-curricular subject education
Although alternate teaching programs in China have traditionally taught courses outside the core curricular subject areas, it is the Chinese national examination system that determines a student’s educational and life prospects. In order for students to advance to high school and then to college, they must pass core-curricular subject tests, the most important of which are Chinese, math, and English.
In close collaboration with government partners, Teach for China is pioneering a new approach to closing the educational achievement gap. Chinese Fellows teach core-curricular subjects such as math, Chinese, and the sciences, while American Fellows offer English language education. Teach For China Fellows concentrate on these high-need subjects areas to ensure that all Chinese students, irrespective of socioeconomic background, succeed in the classroom and in life.
Quality English language instruction
English language is an essential component of the national curriculum in China. Unfortunately, low-income rural schools often lack qualified English teaching staff. Due to staffing shortages, English language education in rural communities is often delayed up to five years when compared to urban school districts. When rural students do begin learning English, classes are frequently taught by faculty without specific subject training.
Teach for China’s full-time native English teachers work in classrooms to provide a first-class English education to students. Additionally, they build local capacity by providing native speaker interaction with local English teachers and supporting development of high-quality English language assessments.
