Saturday 25 February 2012

Welcome to China


Nie Hao from ITEM China 2012

As our time in Beijing draws to a close, we reflect on the innumerable experiences lived by our Module and look forward to immersing ourselves in the richness of China.  As an example, the vastness of Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City is juxtaposed with jam packed metro stations where not an inch of space separates the passengers.  The ancient temples and the modern skyscrapers co-exist in harmony. 

To the cultural wonders such as the Great Wall, we added a pedagogical perspective. We spent an enlightening day at the Sino Bright # 8 school in Yihai on the outskirts of Beijing.  Our students were interested in seeing Chinese students studying the BC curriculum in English and, upon successful completion of their secondary school studies, graduating with a BC Dogwood Certificate.  The opportunity to network with teachers, predominantly from British Columbia was a rich and rewarding chance for our students to weave the first threads of a Chinese school experience into the fabric which represents the module’s PDP 401 experience.

We look forward to our time in Xi’an where the placements in schools begins and the our students’ learning grows exponentially.

Sie Sie,
Robert Swansborough
Faculty Associate,
ITEM China