When learning turns into a big drama

School prepares young students for a Western way of learning through creativity

In a classroom of a two-floor building located in the Chaoyang district of Beijing, 25 children perform the drama The Lion King.

All very entertaining perhaps, but serious, too. The pupils, ranging in age from about 6 to 16, are so well dressed and made up for their roles that this could easily be a formal drama competition. In fact, they are being given a taste of British culture, something that may affect their learning and their lives for years to come.

The activity is organized by Prestige Education Centre, a private British preparatory school in Beijing.

"We believe that learning best takes place in a stimulating and creative environment," says Sarah Luo, co-founder of the school's Beijing campus.

All teachers employed at the school, founded little more than three years ago, have been trained in Britain, she says.

"Our study program is based on the English National Curriculum and incorporates the core subjects into a well balanced and broad curriculum."

The school has an office in London, which organizes student trips to Britain.

Luo says the school came into being because she wanted to provide children with an authentic British education experience in Beijing.

"I worked in Britain about 15 years ago and learned a lot from both systems. I know what great value there is in combining the merits of the British and Chinese systems of education, and I wanted the children of China to benefit from it."

Western education generally attaches greater importance to cultivating a students' ability to think and express himself or herself, which can build-up self-confidence, she says. The Chinese system, on the other hand, makes students masters of being able to memorize, amassing huge amounts of knowledge and being self-disciplined.

"One common problem with most British preparatory schools here is that teachers do not have access to their students after they leave class. At Prestige Education Centre all students are part of the Interactive Ipad Programme, allowing them to communicate with their teachers and peers after class. This extends their learning further, allowing teachers to email homework and give students more instructions. "

There are currently about 40 children enrolled at school. The school is charging fees and will continue to do so, but once it is well established, Luo says, it would like to waive fees for children from poorer families.

"We are keen for students, whether their parents are rich or poor, to become acquainted with the charms of the British education system."

Luo says that since many of the students hope to study overseas, the school provides ideal conditions for moving from the Chinese school system to one in another country.

"Our unique class ratio of a maximum of 10 children to one teacher ensures a child's specific needs are recognized and their potential realized. There are some specialties in terms of the curriculum design."

The center offers weekend classes including one for those just beginning to study English, lower school and upper school.

To cater for families sending their children overseas to study, there are special preparatory classes, she says, helping with entrance exams and acquainting students with school life outside China.

Amy Xu, a Chinese American with two children, Madeleine, 13, and Matthew, 10, both of whom have attended Prestige Education Centre since it opened, says: "It is difficult for children in China attending a public school to maintain an adequate English capability. For the last two years the school has provided this opportunity for both of my children, and I'm so grateful. The quality of education has been really rewarding for both of them.

"Through learning and playing games both have learnt many new words that they would not have been able to learn from ordinary books or public school English books, which makes it very different to other educational institutions. For example, the term bomb shelter is hard for young children to understand, but through playing games at Prestige Education Centre, children can even learn about World War II."

However, rather than going to Britain, her daughter Madeleine has been accepted into a summer program at a high school in Connecticut, one of the top 10 private schools in the United States, Xu says.

Hong Weijie, whose daughter Cindy, 11, attends Prestige Education Centre, says: "I am thankful that the school and its teachers have made my daughter feel welcome in and out of the classroom. Cindy loves the lessons, because she enjoys the way the teachers work and their sense of humor. The children have not only digested more knowledge, but also new ways of learning. ... The students are encouraged to feel the power of learning and continuously to be inspired. As a result, they are eager to learn."

Another mother surnamed Zhang from Dalian, Liaoning province, whose son Jack, 9, attends the school flying home every weekend, says: "It is difficult for parents to say whether the education they have chosen for their child is right or not. However, for the child you cannot turn back the clock, and many parents will be influenced by any new educational practices.

"Since Jack has attended the school and as he has become familiar with it, he has grown to love learning English. At this place, with its sensible, humorous and vibrant teaching, students can truly absorb knowledge as they become their own thinkers."

Liam Benjamin, deputy campus manager of PEC, says some parents are impatient for results in their children's learning, looking for rapid, dramatic improvements.

However, learning is a process, and changes happen gradually, he says.

Benjamin proudly shows a letter from one student, Han Jing, 16, in which he expressed his gratitude for having attended the school.

"I received 2 A's for both language and literature in my final exam," he said. "In total ... I have 9 A+ and 2 A's. For English, I feel very happy and proud for such an achievement. I must also credit a large amount of this result to you. If it was not for the hours that we have spent together going the extra mile and working for the additional marks ... I would not be here right now."

Benjamin says: "We see many students who come here as shy individuals, but who become more outgoing and sociable. Their performance in drama bears out that improvement."

huhaiyan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 09/11/2015 page24)