(Source: CGTN)
This September, maths textbooks, which have seen great success in Shanghai, will be introduced to about half of the UK primary schools. So a new 'Made in China' product is now being added to the country's export list.
The textbooks reportedly help the pupils form a deep understanding of the basic concepts and theorems, and help them apply the proper methods to resolve problems.
But there's more to the textbooks than just wonderful explanations. The outstanding performances of Shanghai's pupils have much to do with the unique teaching practices that complement the material.
Chinese teaching practices and discipline have been in the spotlight recently, with plans to translate a Chinese math textbook to use in British primary schools. What's so special about Chinese math teaching and education methods?
The essence of Shanghai's approach to maths teaching lies in its belief that all pupils can succeed.
Its "whole class interactive teaching" method aims to develop conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. Lessons are designed to be accessible to all, through in-class interaction and incremental progression.
"There is plenty of supportive content other than textbooks, such as the renewal of the teaching ideology and quality in-class interaction," said He Xuefeng, Principle, Shanghai Minhang Experimental Primary School.
"Another feature of Shanghai's primary school teachings are the faculty group discussions, including textbook unit and theme studies, to keep the faculty at the same level of understanding, and maintain a smooth and gradual development of teaching practices in different grades."
While Shanghai's math teachers put in about 15 hours in the classroom on average per week, there's still plenty for them to get through after the bell rings.
"Official hours are spent in the classroom and giving extra tuition to students to pull them up to the average level. After work, however, we need to correct their homework on time, and give feedback to their questions," said Li Lingling, maths teacher, Shanghai Minhang Experimental Primary School.
Since, 2014, primary school teachers and officials from the UK have been working with their counterparts in China to get a better understanding of the teaching methods and system.
