Inside a Classroom at Guiyang Experimental High School #3

The teacher was very enthusiastic and engaging, and the students giggled in response to what she shared. One student stood to share what he’d written in his workbook, but it was predominately teacher directed. I respected her command of the class. Some of the students had a few trinkets or stuffed animals. I wonder if some of the stuffed animals were from home, as most of the students stay at dormitories from Monday – Friday.

There were 54 students in the class. The kids themselves were just kids. Some were shy. They giggled. Some wanted their pictures taken; others looked away. They wore Nike’s, Converse, and regular tennis shoes like those that we’d see in the states. They did wear uniforms and matching coats, but it looks like the students were wearing their own sweaters underneath. Three layers, at least, to stay warm in the very cold rooms.

Overall, the classroom represented conformity and structure. The teacher directed the lesson, and I didn’t see any independent thought. There was little student interaction, and no small group discussion.