BC Program at Nanyang Model High School Off to Great Start

南模中学BC课程校长开学一月来的感言

The month of September was an exciting month for the 48 students registered in the BC Offshore School Program at Nanyang Model High School.  From the very first day our students have been working hard at their lessons and especially hard at improving their English language skills.  The teachers have reported a noticeable improvement in the speaking and writing skills of those students.

I have been most impressed with the conscientious effort the students have made in all the courses they are taking.  It is clear from the daily effort that we are seeing that these students really want to be successful.  Making the transition from Middle School to High School is difficult enough but to be making that transition while learning in a different language makes it even more difficult.  I am very pleased that the students are following our request that they try to speak English throughout their entire school day.  Some have told me they are even trying to speak English in their dormitories at night!  That is wonderful.

The students in our program show a lot of enthusiasm in almost everything they do.  In classes they have been asked to perform small plays (skits), work together in small groups and make presentations to the class, none of which is easy in a new language. They, however, are willing to try all these things and are not afraid to make mistakes because they know that you learn by making mistakes.  I commend them for their efforts.

A highlight for September was their week of military training out at Ocean Land.  All of us foreign teachers had the opportunity to go out to Ocean Land on one of the days.  We were most impressed with how hard the students were working and, despite the hard work, we were glad to see that they were finding ways to have fun.  One of the chief benefits of this week was new friendships developed and the students in the program grew together as a team.  They have learned how they can support each other while they are learning.  Having read some of the diaries I was glad to hear that they were able to look back over the week and realize how many good things happened to them.

As a staff we are very much enjoying working with this wonderful group of students.  They have been exceptionally friendly and helpful to us as we become acquainted with Shanghai.

We look forward to the next 9 months being as successful as the month of September

                                                                                                                                               Ron Wallsmith

                                                                                                                                                           Principal