Shanghai instructors take math smarts to the UK

A group of Chinese math teachers are headed to classrooms in United Kingdom primary schools in a program to share their successful teaching methods while improving educational cooperation between the two countries.

Up to 30 Shanghai teachers will participate in the exchange, which starts in September, said Yang Weiren, director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Division at Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, which coordinates the exchange.

Shanghai students topped the ranks in math, reading and science in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's 2012 Program for International Student Assessment, which evaluates education systems worldwide. UK students ranked 26th in math.

Yang said the Shanghai teaching methods have helped pupils deeply understand the structure of math and how numbers work.

Since November 2014, two other groups of Shanghai teachers have taught in primary schools selected by the UK's Department for Education, sharing their skills in math education, which local teachers then took to other schools.

"The specific arrangement of the new group's tour is still being discussed and we will adjust some details in accordance with our discussion," Yang said on Friday.

British School Reform Minister Nick Gibb highlighted the teacher exchange when the program was first introduced, saying it could enable UK teachers to develop their professional skills by teaming up with those from the most successful math education system in the world.

Yang said the program's success may lead to additional exchanges in other subjects.

"We are also considering adding some new subject programs. If the UK is willing to cooperate with us in upcoming years, we'll plan to invite their teachers to Shanghai and provide classes they are good at, such as science, art and music," Yang said.

Shen Yang, minister counselor at the Chinese embassy in London, spoke highly of the math teacher exchange and said he would encourage more programs that can improve relationships and friendship between China and the UK.

"Teacher exchange makes contributions not only to the two countries' educational developments, but also to the understanding of the people," Shen said.

Piao Meizi, deputy of the School of International Cultural Exchange at Shanghai University of Sport, said the most important element of the exchange lies in encouraging innovation and creativity in education.

Piao's school sends up to 10 teachers abroad every year for six months to a year and after they return, "they bring new ideas in teaching", she said. " I think it is the core of the exchange."

"In addition to math, we have many more subjects in need of an international communication and improvement," she said.

caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn