“In order to deepen the reform of primary-school teaching, we have started the “Half-hour Class” Program from the previous semester, which is proved to be a simple but effective way in improving classroom teaching efficiency,” Ye Lixin, Deputy Director of Education Sciences Department under Yiwu Education Institute, said proudly. It is a practice developed in the process of Yiwu classroom teaching reform, and Yiwu education authority has recognized this new teaching method in the recent document titled On Further Deepening Reform in Primary School Teaching and Relieving Burden on Students, in which the education authority officially promoted the Half-hour Class mode and asked schools to practice this new mode. A Mode Innovated by Education Researchers “In our studies, we found that disordered structure, unreasonable teaching method, sloppy use of languages and lack of key learning points often led to low efficiencies in classrooms, and it is unrealistic to improve the teaching efficiency of many teachers. Therefore, we tried to shorten classroom time, which may help the self-learning of students to improve classroom teaching efficiency,” Ye said. As a result, half-hour class mode is developed. In this mode, Half-hour is not a strict time concept, but a new teaching mode and a teaching strategy, even a teaching concept. With these basic ideas, the education research department is implementing the new mode via various programs to encourage teachers improving teaching effectiveness and efficiency. On October 15, such Half-hour Class Mode was first adopted in English classes at Yiwu Experimental Primary School. On November 13, the Half-hour Class Mode was adopted in the Chinese literature classes for young kids at Niansanli No.2 Primary School. More than 100 teachers from different schools participated in this program. Three teachers from this school presented three wonderful Chinese lessons. The teaching was conducted in a precise, clean and clear way, and the students reacted positively in speaking, writing and reading to become the true keen learners. On that afternoon, all participating teachers held a heated discussion on issues like “how to implement the Half-hour Class Mode” and “how to make students become masters of classes”. They fully recognized the successful points presented by three teachers, and also explored potential problems and other issues frequently occurring at Chinese classes for young kids. On December 1, a training course for all primary school mathematics teachers was held at the Qingkou Primary School, and the example classes showcased the basic concepts and key points in mathematics classes. In addition, the classes also adopted the Half-hour Class Mode to make the class time a joyful process for students and leave more time to students for their thinking. Schools Active in Trying Half-hour Class The concept of Half-hour Class is spreading among primary schools in Yiwu. For instance, Futian Primary School has set two or three experiment classes for each grade to try the new mode. Song Xingming, the schoolmaster, said the idea and question-based teaching of the Half-hour Class is in line with its Efficiency Class program as both highlighting students’ participation and give more class time to students. Through development of good learning habits, schools can help students learn how to learn. The Half-hour Class is a new mode that fits primary education reform guidelines, and is also an easy way to understand and practice, suitable for almost all schools, all subjects and all teachers. On September 25, a symposium on Half-hour Class was held at Xiangshan Primary School. English, Chinese and mathematics teachers from three primary schools, namely Xiangshan, Fantianzhu and Hangchou, conducted classrooms to show what a half-hour class means. On September 29, Xiuhu Primary School Education Association also held a program on the new mode, and invited Ye Lixin, Director of Teaching & Research Office, to give a speech on Half-hour Class. Teachers Practicing Half-hour Class A teacher working at Shiyan Primary School wrote in his blog: we are proactively embracing and implementing the Half-hour Class Mode upon call from the Education Bureau and the Teaching & Research Office. And the results are obvious in my classrooms; my students have more time to think independently and get more interested in learning, they become more and more actively learn by themselves, thus my colleagues and I can indeed improve the teaching efficiency. Now for me, classroom teaching becomes simpler and simpler, and I can teach effectively to encourage my students to think, act and speak up. Other teachers said in Star Online Forum: it takes time to accept a new concept, and at present we fail to wholly get familiar with such new way of teaching, but we strongly believe that the Half-hour Class is the future and will show more successes with continuous improvements and practices. One teacher, after he listened to the lecture by Director Ye, wrote, “Today the Association has invited Mr. Ye to give a speech on the Half-hour Class mode, and all of us were deeply impressed. It is a mode that can truly make students independent learners and masters of classrooms. We all recognize that students shall be the key players in the classroom, and every classroom shall be owned by students rather than by teachers. Giving the classroom back to students is a perfect description of the vision, and every thing a teacher does ultimately aims at encouraging students’ independent learning and thinking.” Tao Hongxing, Director of Teaching & Research Department under Yiwu Education Institute, said: “Yiwu has always been trying to improve classroom-teaching efficiency, and the Half-hour Class Mode is conducive to improving classroom efficiency, enhancing teachers’ capabilities, allowing more time for students’ self-learning. This mode does not impair the painstaking for completing the teaching tasks. On the contrary, it leaves more time to students to explore and learn”. Tao said Yiwu has decided to designate 2010 as the Year of Classroom Efficiency, and the education authority and teaching & research departments will initiate a series of activities, including teaching inspection on primary and middle schools as well as showcase of example teaching classes.
