Dear Editor,
China has been making impressive strides in economic development and political influence. My current sojourn here has afforded me more acute lenses to examine their culture. Although it has only been a little over a week since my arrival, I have noted a number of practices that could be adapted in Jamaica.
First, production is very high. Most supermarkets are shelved with an extensive array of local products. Consequently, food is very affordable.
Secondly, classrooms are properly equipped, instructional sessions are short, English is taught within meaningful contexts, and educators are motivated. All classrooms have a multimedia projector and an interactive whiteboard. These can be activated with the simple press of a button. In light of these resources, audio-visuals can be easily incorporated in any lesson, thereby increasing student engagement.
Additionally, teachers have lapel microphones which mitigate the possibility of vocal strain. Each instructional session lasts for 45 minutes and is followed by a 10-minute respite. This allows teachers to recuperate from what could have been an exhausting session and prepare for the next class.
English is taught in purposeful communicative contexts, which prepares students for real-life discourses. All the language modes (reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing) are equally emphasised for the holistic development of the second-language learner.
Teachers receive special bonuses when their students excel. Indubitably, this is a desirable incentive for many educators.
Thirdly, family planning is paramount to nation-building. Each family is therefore allowed to have only one child. This practice helps to control the population and avert social and economic strain.
With this said, if we are going to recover from a declining economy and combat our social woes, we may need to explore and adapt some best practices like the aforementioned. We cannot perpetuate methods that bear us little to no fortune.
Shawna Kay Williams
shawna201@gmail.com
Lessons from China
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China has been making impressive strides in economic development and political influence. My current sojourn here has afforded me more acute lenses to examine their culture. Although it has only been a little over a week since my arrival, I have noted a number of practices that could be adapted in Jamaica.
First, production is very high. Most supermarkets are shelved with an extensive array of local products. Consequently, food is very affordable.
Secondly, classrooms are properly equipped, instructional sessions are short, English is taught within meaningful contexts, and educators are motivated. All classrooms have a multimedia projector and an interactive whiteboard. These can be activated with the simple press of a button. In light of these resources, audio-visuals can be easily incorporated in any lesson, thereby increasing student engagement.
Additionally, teachers have lapel microphones which mitigate the possibility of vocal strain. Each instructional session lasts for 45 minutes and is followed by a 10-minute respite. This allows teachers to recuperate from what could have been an exhausting session and prepare for the next class.
English is taught in purposeful communicative contexts, which prepares students for real-life discourses. All the language modes (reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing) are equally emphasised for the holistic development of the second-language learner.
Teachers receive special bonuses when their students excel. Indubitably, this is a desirable incentive for many educators.
Thirdly, family planning is paramount to nation-building. Each family is therefore allowed to have only one child. This practice helps to control the population and avert social and economic strain.
With this said, if we are going to recover from a declining economy and combat our social woes, we may need to explore and adapt some best practices like the aforementioned. We cannot perpetuate methods that bear us little to no fortune.
Shawna Kay Williams
shawna201@gmail.com
Lessons from China
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