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Why do we have so many quizzes?Tests, exams and quizzes require students to recall information. Most teachers test just to assess what students know. I have always believed that tests, exams and quizzes are used for learning in addition to assessing students' knowledge.In training schools, exams, tests and quizzes serve two purposes.(1) Let us know what your child doesn't know, rather than discovering what the student knows. If we can find out what your child doesn't know, then we can help them learn what they don't know.The actual biological process of learning anything involves what is called "synaptic bonding." This is easy to understand when you realize that connections and unions are being made in the brain needed to build memories. The brain's synapses connect with other people and create networks (just like computers do, except in our brains it does so naturally. ) Think about the physical location of all your native language knowledge in your brain. There is a network of synapses connected to other synapses. When we need to recall a memory (for example in a quiz, exam, or test), our conscious mind is asking for our memory (subconsciously). The effort expended to retrieve information (e.g. finding answers on tests) will make powerful connections. We are exercising the muscles of our synapses when we need to retrieve information. After this process is completed, it will be enhanced.What happens if we try to retrieve information and can't find what we need? How does this promote learning?When we fail to find the answer, our subconscious mind will focus on the task of finding the answer until we find it. When our students miss a particular question or give the wrong answer on an exam, a question is posed to the subconscious mind that will not be satisfied until the correct answer is found.That's how we use tests, exams and quizzes in the classroom. The grades they get in our class are no more important than the grades that they get at regular schools. That's why and why we use a lot of quizzes in class. Your child will learn what we want them to know faster and more effectively.为什么我们这么多测验测试,考试和测验要求学生回忆信息。大多数老师考试只是为了评估学生所知道的。我一直认为,除了评估学生的知识外,测试,考试和测验还用于学习。在培训学校中,考试,测试和测验有两个目的。(1)让我们知道您的孩子不知道的东西,而不是发现学生知道的东西。如果我们可以发现您的孩子不知道的内容,那么我们可以帮助他们学习他们不知道的内容。(2)学习任何事物的实际生物学过程都涉及所谓的“突触结合”。当您意识到建立记忆所需的大脑中正在建立联系和结合时,这些内容很容易理解。大脑的突触与其他人连接并创建网络(就像计算机一样,除了在我们的大脑中,它很自然地这样做。)想一想您大脑中所有母语知识所在的物理位置。有一个网络是由与其他突触连接的突触构建的。当我们需要回忆记忆(例如在测验,考试或测验中)时,我们的意识在要求我们的记忆(在潜意识中)。检索信息所花费的精力(例如在测试中寻找答案)将建立强大的联系。当我们需要检索信息时,我们正在锻炼突触的肌肉。完成该过程后,将对其进行增强。如果我们尝试检索信息却找不到所需的信息,会发生什么?这如何促进学习?当我们找不到答案时,我们的潜意识将专注于寻找答案直到找到答案的任务。当我们的学生在考试中错过某个特定问题或给出错误答案时,就会向潜意识提出一个问题,直到找到正确答案后,该问题才会满足。这就是我们在教室中使用测试,考试和测验的方式。他们在我们班上获得的分数并不比他们在正规学校所获得的分数重要。这就是为什么以及为什么我们在课堂上使用很多测验。您的孩子将学习我们希望他们更快,更有效地了解的知识。

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Late For Class

2020-08-04

When a student is ten minutes late to a 40-minute class, they are losing more than a fourth of the class time.  They actually lose at least half of the class because it takes them another 10 minutes to catch up with what's happening in the class. Their efficiency in learning for that class is greatly diminished. Not only that, if you are paying 100 yuan for the class, you just threw away 50 yuan.When parents bring primary or middle school kids to class late, there are certain things that they must do. I will share with you 'how to enter a class late.'First, let's talk about why you're late. I've been a teacher for over 30 years. I owned my own school in America for 15 years. I had about 750 students. We prepared students for the top 5% of colleges and universities in America. We demanded excellence from parents and teachers.I've been teaching English in China for the past 9 years. We produce the top 1% of students in Henan Province. We've had students who have been accepted to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Southern California. Our average student who takes the SAT in America (American gaokao) will score 1530 out of 1600 points. Our average TOEFL student will get 110 out of 120 on that exam.I think I've heard every excuse for being late to class. The most common excuses are weather (such as rain) or traffic jams. If you've lived longer than a month in China and you drive a car, you know that there will be traffic delays when it rains. You also know that there will very likely be a traffic jam.Let me tell you what to do when you encounter these obstacles to getting your child to class on time.What do you do? You plan for it. How do you plan for it? You leave earlier. It is quite simple. There are always going to be delays and traffic jams whether it is raining or not. But, we (parents) are adults and we know this. A traffic jam in China is not a surprise. It is normal. Sometimes, a child is delayed from finishing another class they've attended. Each teacher should be responsible and respectful enough to start their classes on time and finish their classes on time. Any professional teacher will do this.We know that there are those teachers who want to impress the parent by going longer than the scheduled time for the class to finish. In my opinion, this is just a superficial and very naive way to try to impress parents. In my opinion, it is a silly way to try to show how 'hard-working' that they are. I think most parents are smart enough to know that this is quite immature and a facade.When you are late due to circumstances beyond your control, let me share with you the right and wrong ways to deliver your child to the class.WRONG WAY - This way is disrespectful, rude and uncivilized.- The child is very excited and the parent is allowing them to run to the classroom.- The child enters the classroom and is very disruptive to the class and disrespectful to the teacher. The class doesn't start when you arrive. The class starts on schedule.- The parent delivers the child late and continues talking to the child after the child has entered the classroom.- The parent delivers the child and tries to talk to the teacher after their child has come late to the class.RIGHT WAY- Calm your child down before going to the class.- Take your child to the class and lightly knock on the door.- Deliver your child safely to the class and leave immediately.- Be respectful.The ancient culture taught everyone to respect education by respecting the teacher, the school and the classroom. It seems that modern people have forgotten this. I guess that they need to be reminded.

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I never left China when the outbreak of the virus was steamrolling over the country. China could have never imagined that 82,000 people would contract this virus and that more than 3,000 would die. It has been unprecedented especially when compared with the number of the SARS virus of 2002-2003.Now, the even more utterly astounding unfolding of events have taken place as the virus reached the shores of America and has already (and is still taking) the worst toll on earth. It is heartbreaking and devastating.What America can't imagine is the very thing that I've watch unfold here in China over the past 2.5 months. The rapid response, the highly effective actions and measures and the cooperation of the Chinese people has been astounding to say the very least.China took two drastic measures while other countries implemented only one. China locked down immediately upon realizing the potential of this virus. This move was pure genius. The second thing that China did involved the diagnostic, contact history assessments and treatment process.A list of what 'China Did Right'1. locked down Wuhan and Hubei province immediately2. encouraged people who thought they might be infected to go directly and get tested3. aggressively and thoroughly researched the contact history of each person who was confirmed to be infected4. restrict and limit the mobility of people so as to reduce human to human contact5. made all testing and treatment free (this was especially vital for the poorer people who would't go get tested for fear of the cost)6. got every community and every business monitoring and checking tempatures at entry points7. very slowly reopened while cautiously understanding of the implications of reopeningDr. Tedros of the W.H.O. isn't favoring China for any other reason than, 'China got it right.' The actions and measures that China took were amazing. I saw it all first hand. America can't accept the fact that 'China did it right and won the battle as quickly and as effectively as it has.'It has been amazing for me to sit nearly on the front lines and see this miracle unfold.

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As I'm watching America panic over the COVID-19 virus, the amazing work that the Chinese authorities have done is being revealed. Just weeks ago, hundreds of people from America were contacting me and expressing their concern for my safety living here in Henan. They wanted me to come to America where I'd 'be safe.'<div><br></div><div>Well, that has all changed. Now, I'm safest right here in China. </div><div><br></div><div>With all of the criticism and blaming that China has endured from outsiders during this historical crisis, China has proven itself to be leading the world in 'how to handle a national and international crisis.'</div><div><br></div><div>Presently, America has 1,672 confirmed cases of the virus. China has had over 81,000 cases. The mortality rate in China has been less than 4%. Outside of Hubei, that rate is less than 2%. For weeks, America was seeing mortality rates of over 8%. Twice as much as Wuhan which is at the epicenter of this viral outbreak.</div><div><br></div><div>I am an American. I am proud to be an America. But, America has miserably failed in containing and controlling this virus. The lack of tests kits, masks and the unwillingness of people to self-quarantine and isolate themselves has been disturbing. On the other hand, the willingness of the Chinese people to fully cooperate with authorities in order to do what is best for the good of the public, has been amazing.</div><div><br></div><div>Every time that I walk out of my community and scan my QR code and get my temperature checked, I breathe a fresh sigh of relief to know that China is taking care of its people (and me) in a way that is extraordinary.</div><div><br></div><div>I applaud, not only the efforts of the government, but all of the actions of the Chinese people. Not only that, I applaud the compliance of all of the people here in China in coming together and working together to defeat this unseen enemy.</div><div><br></div><div>China, you are truly amazing! Thank you, thank you, thank you to the leaders and all of the tens of thousand of workers who have risked their own lives and safety to make sure that this virus is defeated. You are all heroes in my heart and soul!!!</div>

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There are many reasons why China has existed for more than 5,000 years. These same reasons are why China will overcome this current crisis with the coronavirus.No civilization in the history of the world has achieved more than China. America is only 244 years old. America has achieved awesome feats and accomplishments in those nearly two and a half centuries. But, China has existed more than 20 times longer. What are the secrets of China's continual existence and rise in the modern world?I think, for one, Chinese people are resilient people. They have faced famines, wars, plagues, invasions and nearly every conceivable crisis and have always come back. They have suffered and endured personal and even national tragedies and have come back like no other nation in history. Their history stands as a testimony to their strength and resolve.Another unique characteristic of Chinese culture is the wisdom and pursuit of excellence. Western countries today are discovering ancient Oriental wisdom. I know that in my life time how the wisdom of LaoTse, Confucius and many other eastern philosophers have shaped my thinking and way of life.China has also survived because of their pursuit of excellence. This is seen in their rise over the past 40 years and the miraculous feat of bringing 850 million people out of extreme poverty according to the World Bank. No other nation in history can make such a claim other than China.During the time of this coronavirus crisis, the Chinese leaders have exerted massive effort and financial resources to overcome it. The building of two hospitals in just ten days. The thousands of healthcare professionals that have been sent to Wuhan. The cooperation of the World Health Organization. The shutdown of much of the province of Hubei. Even here in Henan where I live, I have seen the quick and highly effective actions of the government. I translate the messages that I receive from them every day and know that they are doing everything that they must do to kindly, lovingly and compassionately care for the welfare of their citizens.I'm sorry that this latest crisis has arisen, however, I am happy to be here at this time. I had the chance to leave and go back to America. I considered the message that I'd be sending to my students. I came here to help them make their lives better. I couldn't run away when things got bad. I chose to stay and endure until this is resolved.China is amazing! Its people are amazing. Its leaders are amazing. They are heroes in my heart and mind. I'm here to say '加油!I'm so happy to be here and suffer through this with the students and people that I came here to serve.We will win this war against this enemy virus. China will overcome and be stronger than before.

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I am an American. I live in China. I'm just 300 miles north of Wuhan. 我是个美国人。我住在中国。这儿离武汉只有300英里。 I have self-quarantined for 22 days. I stocked up on food and haven't needed to venture out anywhere since the news of the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus. 自从冠状病毒爆发和传播的消息出来之后,我已经自我隔离22天了。我储备了食物,不需要冒险出去。 I am very pleased with the amazing way in which China has responded to this situation. Only China could do what they've done to shut off Wuhan and much of Hubei. 我对中国为了战胜疫情所做的惊人之举非常振奋。对这种情况只有中国才能做到:他们封闭了武汉和湖北的大部分地区。 I get daily text messages from the city government regarding the number of people who have been confirmed and hospitalized in my city. Not only that, I get detailed information of where the nearest confirmed case (person) was and how close it was to me. I can't imagine that the government could do any more than what they are doing. Their efforts are in fact, truly amazing. 我每天都会收到市政府关于在我的城市被确认和住院的人数的短信。不仅如此,我还得到了关于最近确认的案件(人)在哪里以及它与我有多近的详细信息。我无法想象还有哪个政府能做得比他们正在做的更好。他们的努力的确是惊人的。 The two hospitals in Wuhan were completed in less than 2 weeks. This is a remarkable feat. In my city, 126 cases have been confirmed, no one has died, and 33 people have recovered. 在武汉,不到2周的时间建成了两家医院。这是一个了不起的壮举。在我住的城市,确认有126起病例,没有任何人死亡,33人已经康复。 I feel safe and well cared for here in Henan. If you hear of any negative stories coming from American media, remember that President Donald Trump, America's esteemed leader, announces how the media is 'fake' almost every day. 我在这里感到安全并受到很好的照顾。如果你听到来自美国媒体的任何负面报道,请记住,美国尊敬的领导人唐纳德·特鲁普总统几乎每天都在口口声声说媒体是多磨“假”。 I live here and know the reality. The efforts of the officials here are truly remarkable. 我住在这里,我知道实情。这里官方的努力确实是卓越的。 Go China!!! Go Wuhan!!! We are all fighting together and we will beat this virus!!! 去中国!去武汉!我们都在一起战斗,我们将战胜这种病毒!!

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1. Obey the law and obey the authorities.You know that drugs aren't permitted in most societies. Certainly not China. Children do not grow up in China with the burden of temptation for drugs no matter how hard or seemingly harmless they may be. This is a positive thing no matter how you look at it.Recently, there were several foreigners who were involved either through recreational use or trafficking drugs in Xuzhou. It is strange to me that other foreigners are discussing 'will they be treated fairly?' This is not an intelligent question. These things are against the law. This is China. They are going to be dealt with in the same way that Chinese are dealt with however harsh that might seem to you. You don't decide that. China decides that. The simple fact is, 'don't do things that are against the law' and you have nothing to worry about. If you want to do those things then, weigh the consequences or go somewhere that believes those things are lawful and o.k. to do. China is not one of those places.Obey the law and you're more likely to stay out of trouble. Can you be accused of something that you didn't do? Of course you can. In China, America or wherever. It happens all of the time. But, the chances are very slim that you're going to be accused of something that you're innocent of. It can happen, but, it isn't common.2. When someone wrongs you, let it go.Chinese people do this every day. In fact, I've always said that, 'Chinese are experts at 'letting it go.' If they get cut off in traffic by someone who is too aggressive in driving, they let it go. They don't get out and fight. They 'let it go.' You need to do the same. It is even more important for you as a foreigner because foreigners are not common in most Chinese cities. They are a target. There will be enough troubles finding you. You don't need to make it worse. Swallow your ego. Swallow your pride and 'let it go.'3. Don't expect life to be what you're used to.Chinese do things differently than Westerners. You may not like how they do things, but, to them, it is likely quite normal. YOU are the one who must adjust. This isn't your country or culture. So, the burden is on you to adjust. Chinese don't think like you do. But, again, it's their country and not yours.4. Realize that you're not going to change things.I guess I could really say here, 'Fully acknowledge the fact that you aren't going to change China or Chinese people.' You may very well know an obvious (to you at least) way of doing something better than what you see them doing. You can make a suggestion but no one is obligated to listen to your suggestion much less act on it. Don't be surprised if they don't because, my experience is, they likely won't. I've made suggestions that were acted upon two years later in the schools that I've been involved with. When they do act on them, it is the nature of Chinese people that they will often take credit for the idea even though you gave them the same idea long before. Just act surprised and tell them how great is. It doesn't matter to you who gets credit even though it is a big 'face' thing with them. Be wise enough and humble enough to let them take the credit. It's not a big deal. Just be thankful and happy that someone finally did act on it. You need to be more mature and realize that they finally did take your advice. Most foreigners don't have the patience or maturity to do this. You need to decide that you are and that you can.5. Swallow your pride and control your ego.This suggestion is simply 'growing up.' The world doesn't revolve around you. You might think that your ideas and knowledge are far superior to those around you. And, it might be. But, you won't likely win any converts to your genius in China. 'Face' is a huge thing with Chinese. You have to do like Chinese people and 'give face' as much as you can. Even if it seems superficial to you. It is the culture here. You have to learn to do it or you won't get along too well.Many Chinese people aren't great at admitting that they are wrong. However, they will allow you to correct them when they perform wrongly like when they speak English wrong. They will also be grateful to you for correcting them. They'll love you for helping them. But, don't allow them to lose face over personal attributes. They won't take it well. Correct them in private as much as possible. It is safe and will let them know that you care about them and not just looking good yourself.6. Go with the flow and be flexibleYou can't be rigid in China. You can maintain your own personal discipline, but, you're going to have to learn to be flexible. Things change fast in China. Your work schedule can change without any prior notice. I know that if you're a Westerner, you aren't used to this. However, it is a reality in China. Planning and scheduling will always be tentative. Certainly not like you're used to. However, you MUST learn to be flexible and go with the flow if you're going to survive and get along in Chinese culture.7. Don't be easily offendedThere are two circumstances that come to mind when a foreigner might get offended in China.The first is, when the police stop you and ask you for your passport. Obey them and comply with their request with a humble and positive attitude. They have every right to ask you for such. It doesn't matter whether you are used to it or not. It doesn't matter if you agree with it or not. Just do it. They are doing a job they were told to do. If you'll comply with them with a positive and humble attitude, things will go much better for you. It has happened to me. It is unnerving at times, but, it's their country. Do what they say. They are the police. I've never had a bad experience with this even though it is a bit uncomfortable. If you are an American, imagine what immigrants are going through right now in America. They are scared half to death. Nonetheless, here in China, the better your attitude; the better things will go for you.The second is, don't get offended with Chinese who ask you very personal questions like your salary, your age, if you are divorced or married, etc. They ask things that are taboo for Westerners. It is common for them. If you don't want answer, then, don't. The police won't likely ask you such questions even though no question is off-limits with them. They represent the law in China. If they ask you something, answer and answer honestly. If others ask you questions that you feel are too personal and you don't want to answer, don't make a big deal out of it. Just don't answer. It isn't that hard to do. I asked a street vendor last night how many customers he serves every day. He didn't answer me. I guess he thought it wasn't any of my business. No big deal. I hope he does well in his business because his food is great and I hope he's making a lot of money. But, if he doesn't want to answer me, then, that's his perogative.Follow these 7 suggestions and you'll have a better life in China as a foreigner.Bonus: Here's an 8th suggestion. Do your job and do it well. Work hard. Especially if you're a teacher. Most Chinese students are great. They love learning and are smart. I love teaching kids in China. I've worked hard and have helped kids get top scores on the SAT and TOEFL in America. I've helped kids get into top 120 schools in America, Canada, the U.K. and Australia. My average student scores 1530 on the SAT and 112 on TOEFL. That'll get them into any college in the world. I think I'm a pretty good teacher, however, I know that I have GREAT students. I love teaching Chinese students and watching them achieve their dreams. Do your job sincerely and work hard to help others. The rewards of seeing their successes are just amazing.

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If you are a foreigner in China, you need to be aware of some things. What I'm going to share with you can save you a lot of trouble if you live in China.I just read about the Serbian man who beat up a taxi driver and was held accountable even though the taxi driver was likely acting illegally. He charged the Serb a 50% return fee for taking him to a location that he wasn't likely able to find a return customer. The Serb refused to pay and punched the guy. The cabbie is laid up in the hospital hoping to get a lot of money from the Serb. The police will likely hold him until he hands over some cash.A situation that happens about 50-60% of the time in China is that you'll get cheated at a local market or restaurant because you're a foreigner. I'm fully aware of this fact. It isn't something that you need to judge as being 'right or wrong'. It is just a simple fact in China. Cheating a customer out of 2-3 yuan is considered 'clever' here by such people and not dishonest as it likely is considered in your home country.First, expect to be cheated. If you do, you won't be disappointed or angry when it happens. Chinese people already know this. However, since you are looked upon as a 'rich foreigner' it is far more likely to happen to you. It is part of the culture in China. Accept it. Expect it. Or, go home. It isn't going to change.If you get cheated, accept it and don't go back to that establishment. If they did it to you once, they'll do it again. I know that the logic is that they will cheat themselves out of any future business that you'd give them. They don't think about that. They think about the rush they get by having cheated you out of a few yuan. They get a bigger rush if they know that they've cheated a foreigner. Of course, it isn't smart. They could make hundreds of yuan from you in the future, but, it isn't likely that they'll think about that.Also, don't confront them. They'll deny it 100% of the time. There's no use in confronting them. If you want to punish them, never go back there and give them any business in the future. That's hundreds of yuan that they could make from you as a happy customer. But, anyone that needs to beat you out of a few yuan, isn't that smart to begin with. My experience has been that they'll be out of business in a few months anyway. Just pay it and don't go back.Second, avoid having a nightlife. Especially you should avoid bars. There are too many horror stories that I've heard and seen with other foreigners first hand. Remember this. YOU AREN'T CHINESE. Things are going to get blamed on you if you're near trouble even though you had nothing to do with it. Don't think that you'll get justice later. You won't.Third, comply with the police with a humble and positive attitude. I got stopped by two police for riding my e-bike in the bus lane. I was following nearly a dozen other e-bikes whose drivers where were doing the same thing. But, I was the only foreigner. I immediately confessed 'wo cuole', 'I am wrong'; 'ni duile', you are right. I made no defense because, I was in fact, wrong. It doesn't matter that a dozen others just did the same thing. They are Chinese. I am the foreigner. They stopped me. No surprise.They scolded me in Chinese and English (using Baidu translate). I never defended my actions and was more than willing to pay the fine (I think it would have been 20 yuan). They continued to scold me for some time. I continued (with a humble and sincere attitude) admitting that I was wrong and that they are right. They let me go on after detaining me there for about 20 minutes. No fine.Do everything that you're required to do as far as your visa, passport, etc. All of my personal encounters with police have turned out well. It is annoying and a bit intimidating (with all of the stories you hear) that they'll stop you on the street for no other reason than your white (or brown or black) face. But, remember, you are used to justice and fairness. Don't be naive in China. YOU are the foreigner. Things won't go well for you no matter what. Even if you are victimized by some unsavory people (I've experienced this myself). It is best to not even report the crime. Suck it up and accept it or, go back to your home country. Chinese justice and the justice you're likely used to are two completely different things.Follow my advice and you'll have a far better experience staying in China. China is a wonderful place if you know how things work for foreigners and are able to accept them. If you can't accept them, go home. You're not going to change them.

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