School Visit
We went to visit Burnholme Community College for lesson observation. I felt really excited about that because I always thought the school environment and the learning and teaching in the UK were very different from those in Hong Kong.
The education in Hong Kong have long been criticised as exam-driven and teacher-led, while the foreign or western one emphasises student orientation. Having visited the school, I found that the learning atmosphere here was far more relaxing and enjoyable.
First of all, there is less classwork in lessons, or I should better say, work in class is usually shared with others. Hong Kong students are, however, used to work individually. Through peer collaborations (like group discussions), the pressure and workload of students will largely be reduced.
In addition, classes in the British schools are much smaller than those in Hong Kong. That means teachers can have more opportunities to focus on individual students. As a result, students can receive more intensive care and attention from teachers. With smaller classes, interactions between teachers and students as well as between students and students can be more easily facilitated. Above all, student learning can be ultimately enhanced. That is why educators in Hong Kong have always been urging for small-class teaching.
