incorporating these into initial teacher training. There is still a long way to go, but newly qualified teachers are beginning use games, collaborative learning and using ICT to bring teaching to life. However, these changes will spread slowly as teachers do not generally receive additional training once they have qualified and there are no education trainers, consultants or CPD providers to speak of in China. There is a limited mentoring system that is arranged within schools, if the school feels it is of benefit. New recruits usually learn the tricks of the trade as they teach and are left in a training vacuum where they hone their skills in virtual isolation. There is no equivalent to Ofsted in China, but there is a Communist party official stationed in every school to ensure compliance with government regulations.
Image Credit: flickr.com/photos/vincrosbie/4712869739/ by Vin Crosbie under Commercial Creative Commons License Commercial Creative Commons License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0
In the biggest cities in China it is becoming common to have native English speakers in every level of school, as educational institutions and strategist encourage learning English to try to develop a competitive edge. Chinese schools are seeking to develop international partnerships with schools across the world, including many schools in the UK. Schools and the government are eager to learn new ways of teaching from overseas partners and exchanging both teachers and students is common once a partnership has been set up. Linking to an international partner is highly beneficial for both sides and my own school has taken part in numerous joint activities to foster understanding and improve cultural awareness. As I write this, it is relatively quiet outside Number 10 Elementary School and beyond the gate the school grounds are deserted. Looking skyward at the tall cityscape that surrounds me, the shiny new skyscrapers stand testament to the rapid economic progress China has made over the past 20 years. The state is now trying to diversify the educational horizons of the country and the scope and ambition of its young people by putting the vast resources of the dragon behind the Chinese schooling system and importing and adapting the best from around the world. This may turn out to be the real Chinese miracle.
Other images were captured by Martin Burrett who has given permission to use them in the magazine.
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