Dear friends,
I visited an international school in Hong Kong last Thursday and Friday. I shadowed a 2nd grade and third grade teacher and was able to speak with them about challenges in teaching, differences in American and international schools, and different types of students they encounter.

One of the most difficult challenges I face as a teacher is closing the large skill level gaps in my classroom. In Taiwan, there are many "cram schools" (buxiban) where students study a subject intensively for two or three hours after school. Those that are wealthy, who can afford these cram schools, advance at a faster rate than those who cannot and thus creates a classroom situation where some students already know the subject matter so well and others have never seen the subject matter before. Disparities in skill level are challenges every teacher faces, but they are much more prominent in Taiwan and China where they have these cram schools.

The two teachers I shadowed told me that the challenges they face as teachers are, for the most part, not really relevant to just international school teaching, but teaching in general. They could relate to the different skill level, classroom management, and politics that happens in schools. One of the teachers noted that the politics that happens in international schools are felt more  by teachers, though because as private schools, international schools determine what to include in the curriculum. As such, the jockeying for input is felt to a larger degree in international schools because it happens at their level of authority. In American public school systems, much of what is decided to be taught and guidelines for teaching are set by a higher authority (such as the District's Board of Education) for uniformity among schools. Politics still exists, but at a higher level of authority when it comes to setting the curriculum.

There are many more differences between international and American schools, though, besides just the politics that we discussed. Students at international school mostly come from affluent families and come with different sets of social problems. On one extreme, some of the kids may face neglect in the form of being raised by a "helper," or a Phillippino cleaner/nanny who speaks minimal English. With their parents working such long hours, the children are neglected at home. On the other extreme, some kids have been given everything to them on a golden plate and they do not know their own boundaries, their own limits. Other times, these kids may also not know how to tie their own shoe because they've always had a "helper" tie it for them! By the second and third grade, students should be able to understand and take responsibility for themselves, turning in homework, picking up their own trash, etc. While these cases of child neglect and over-indulgence can be emotionally and developmentally damaging, it is different and not as severe or traumatizing as inner-city youths trying to survive street gangs, abusive households, poverty, and unsupportive families.

Students are always in need of nurturing, attention, and guidance. One thing that I agree with one of the teachers I spoke with is that students, wherever you go, are the same. Students are still curious, creative, vulnerable, and sensitive beings. They may have grown up in a completely different culture and social context, but as children, they all want to be loved, to be in a nurturing atmosphere where they can learn. As teachers, we have to remember that all children have the potential to learn. Each child learns differently (e.g. via kinesthetic learning, visual learning, or auditory learning)  so different teaching styles and techniques must be used. We must be flexible and adaptable to understand our students.

I want to thank the school and the teachers I shadowed last Thursday and Friday in Hong Kong. It was a pleasure meeting them and their cute students!

Dear friends,
I went to go hiking in Shek O Country Park today on the three-hour Dragon's Back Path. It was a medium hike and I  saw breathtaking landscapes of Hong Kong.

Dear friends,
I made yet another trek up to Victoria's Peak. As you may know, I've been up there several times already, but this time I decided to take three of my apartment mates from Taiwan (Rebekah, Billy, & Kate). When we got up there, we wanted to take several jumping shots. Several people saw us jumping and they followed suit.

Apparently, when I jump, the necklace to my camera holder jumps too and makes it seem as if it belongs in my mouth...It's not supposed to happen. Trust me. Bad picture of me, but still fun!

We made sandwiches and carried it with us to the top of Victoria's Peak. After we finished lunch, we went shopping at Tung Choi St. (a.k.a. the "Ladies Market," but they also had men's clothes & accessories) and Prince Edward's station where they have the themed-streets (i.e. Goldfish street, Flower street, etc.)

Here are a few pictures of us trying to jump and trying to take good pictures =D:

1. Do I need to emphasize how bright it was? Can you tell by Rebekah's eyes?

2. "OK team. On the count of three, jump! One, Two, Thr--oh, that's too early" ~Kate

3. Now, let's all look pensive...

Dear friends,
Beijing was a lot of fun and I was very happy to have seen so many different sites. It's been a while since I've updated because everyday has been so busy, but I am slowly updating from Hong Kong.

On the first full day in Hong Kong, several Fulbrighters and I went to each lunch on a boat and then drive a speedboat. It was exhilarating and I couldn't have asked for a better day. The sky was clear, temperature was warm (big change from Beijing), and I actually handled the steering wheel well!

Driving the speedboat with my hair extremely messy from the wind.

The day after speedboating, a few of us went to Lantau Island to see the big Buddha. We waited in line for about 2 hours until we finally got on the cable car that takes you to see the big Buddha.

See more pictures here: China Photo Set 6!