Why read this: This short reader gives students a clear, simple picture of two ways to teach math. In Canada, one teacher teaches all the subjects. In China, one math teacher teaches only math. The text shows that both ways have good points. Students see how teachers in two countries learned from each other.
What to notice: Notice the two new words generalist and specialist. The text tells you what they mean with easy examples. Notice the two countries are compared step by step: first what each country does, then what each country liked about the other, then a simple answer at the end. Short sentences and clear linking words like and, but, and so help you follow the ideas.
Skills practised: Students practise reading short, clear sentences and finding key facts: who, where, when, and what. They learn to compare two things in simple English. They also practise using new words about school and teachers. The open questions ask students to name things and describe ideas from the text, which builds basic answer-writing skills.
Math Teachers in Canada and China
One teacher for all subjects, or one teacher just for math? Two countries do it in different ways.
Tap any green word in the article to see its meaning.
In Canada, one teacher often teaches many subjects to one class. The same teacher teaches mathmath: An abstract representational system used in the study of numbers, shapes, structure, change and the relationships between these concepts — 数学, reading, science, and art. We call this teacher a generalistgeneralist: A general practitioner — 全科医生. In China, math teachers teach only math. They teach math to many classes every day. We call this teacher a specialistspecialist: A person who concentrates on and is expert in a particular subject or activity. — 专家；专科医生. So the two countries do it in very different ways.
From 2016 to 2019, teachers from a Canadiancanadian: Of, belonging to, or relating to Canadian English — 加拿大英语的 school and a Chinesechinese: Of or relating to China, its people, or its languages — 中国的 school met online every month. The Canadian school was in a city called Windsor. The Chinese school was in a big city called Chongqing. The teachers showed each other how they teach math. They talked about lessons, about students, and about parents. They wanted to learn from each other.
The Chinese math teachers liked one big thing about Canada. In Canada, teachers can choose how to teach. They have a lot of freedomfreedom: The state of being free; the right to act, speak, or think freely. — 自由 in the classroom. Also, Canadian schools give a lot of help to students who learn in a different way. One Chinese teacher said, "I wishwish: To want something that is not possible or is unlikely to happen. — 希望；祝愿 we had this kind of help for students in our country too."
The Canadian teachers liked one big thing about China too. In China, math teachers work together a lot. They plan lessons together, they watch each other teach, and they talk about what works. A Canadian teacher said it was very useful to work with a Chinese math specialist. Canadian teachers want more time to plan with other teachers like this.
So what is the answer? Both countries do good things. Canada is good at giving teachers freedom and helping every student. China is good at math teachers working together. The two countries do not need to copy each other. But they can listen and learn from each other. Small changes, stepstep: One movement of your foot when you are walking. — 步；步骤 by step, are better than big changes all at once.
In Canada, one teacher often teaches many subjects to one class. The same teacher teaches mathmath: An abstract representational system used in the study of numbers, shapes, structure, change and the relationships between these concepts — 数学, reading, science, and art. We call this teacher a generalistgeneralist: A general practitioner — 全科医生. In China, math teachers teach only math. They teach math to many classes every day. We call this teacher a specialistspecialist: A person who concentrates on and is expert in a particular subject or activity. — 专家；专科医生. So the two countries do it in very different ways.
From 2016 to 2019, teachers from a Canadiancanadian: Of, belonging to, or relating to Canadian English — 加拿大英语的 school and a Chinesechinese: Of or relating to China, its people, or its languages — 中国的 school met online every month. The Canadian school was in a city called Windsor. The Chinese school was in a big city called Chongqing. The teachers showed each other how they teach math. They talked about lessons, about students, and about parents. They wanted to learn from each other.
The Chinese math teachers liked one big thing about Canada. In Canada, teachers can choose how to teach. They have a lot of freedomfreedom: The state of being free; the right to act, speak, or think freely. — 自由 in the classroom. Also, Canadian schools give a lot of help to students who learn in a different way. One Chinese teacher said, "I wishwish: To want something that is not possible or is unlikely to happen. — 希望；祝愿 we had this kind of help for students in our country too."
The Canadian teachers liked one big thing about China too. In China, math teachers work together a lot. They plan lessons together, they watch each other teach, and they talk about what works. A Canadian teacher said it was very useful to work with a Chinese math specialist. Canadian teachers want more time to plan with other teachers like this.
So what is the answer? Both countries do good things. Canada is good at giving teachers freedom and helping every student. China is good at math teachers working together. The two countries do not need to copy each other. But they can listen and learn from each other. Small changes, stepstep: One movement of your foot when you are walking. — 步；步骤 by step, are better than big changes all at once.
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
In Canada, what does a generalist teacher do?
- 02
What did the Chinese math teachers like about Canada?
- 03
What did the Canadian teachers like about China?
- 04
Name two things Canadian teachers and Chinese teachers did at their online meetings.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Describe one good thing about Canadian schools and one good thing about Chinese schools from the article.
Suggested length: ~50 words
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
In Canada, what does a generalist teacher do?
- 02
What did the Chinese math teachers like about Canada?
- 03
What did the Canadian teachers like about China?
- 04
Name two things Canadian teachers and Chinese teachers did at their online meetings.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Describe one good thing about Canadian schools and one good thing about Chinese schools from the article.
Suggested length: ~50 words