Changping No. 1 High School

The Open Air Market

This was a pretty low key day. We had a little more opportunity in the morning to relax and take it easy. The only thing on our agenda was a school visit; so Trish and I went around the corner to an open air market. We were intrigued with the sights and smells of the city—some more pleasant than others! Check out these market products.  

Can this guy get one more thing on this bicycle?

For the Chinese students school is everything! It is really their ticket to success. Their school days are very long—an average of 10 hours. Doing well on their exams is the most important thing. It is the entrance into a number 1 high school which is the way into college. In America, all students have the ability to go to some college—there is financial aid, there are alternative colleges, there are choices. If a person does not do well on the entrance exam it limits their choices but they still have choices. If Chinese students do not do well on their exam, a 2 day exam, they will not go to college. All parents want their children to do well and so school is the focus of life for the Chinese young person. Students are very serious about their education. Many have an hour long bicycle ride to school where they will attend classes for 10-12 hours before they get back on their bicycles to ride home.

The STARTALK students and teachers visited a number 1 high school. Our mission was to communicate with the Chinese students in English—give them an opportunity to practice their English before taking their exams. These students have worked very hard to get into this school. Most of them speak English quite well although they all seem shy and afraid to try out their English on us. After introductions we are divided into groups and sent to classrooms to ‘talk’. It was a challenge trying to break the ice but once that happened they all clamored to have their say. They then gave small group tours of their school of which they were very proud. We exchanged e-mails and hopefully will continue the dialogue.