Things I Forgot to Mention About School

So, I kind of forgot to write about school in general, and how it compares to the U.S. for better and for worse and some other reflections. Thanks for the reminder, Loraine!

I was very very confused by the introduction to Taiwanese schools that we got during orientation. They explained that we (meaning Fulbright English Teaching Assistants and our coteachers) teach with "learning through play" but that the rest of the school teaches in a drill-and-grill approach. Most classes (core subjects like math and Chinese) are taught by "homeroom teachers" and then we are some of the special subject teachers. Sometimes I feel bad playing some crazy game and getting the kids all wild, and then turning them back over to their homeroom teachers to do sit-down-and-listen class.

As far as class hours, the structure is actually really fascinating! Kids begin public school at first grade, and in first grade, they take classes 4 half days and one full day per week, with full days running from 7:40 to 4:10. The second graders have 3 half days and two full days, etc, etc. I think it's pretty developmentally sensitive-- although teaching those second graders on one of the few afternoons they're at school is tough! I should also mention that these are only the hours that the students are in public schools, about 70% of my students also attend afterschool "cram schools," sometimes for 5 hours again after public school. It's pretty intense stuff and causes some painful gaps in the classroom, unfortunately along socio-economic lines.

The actual structure of individual days include 10 minute breaks between each class when the kids are supposed to go outside and run around, and one twenty minute morning break for the school's exercise dance. There are also twenty minute periods for cleaning time, when the students are responsible for many aspects of the school's upkeep, like sweeping, window washing, picking up litter, etc. It could be interpreted as child labor, but I think it gives them a sense of belonging to and responsibility for the school grounds and community. My favorite bit of the schedule is that lunch time also includes a 40 minute nap time period for students and teachers alike!