Peking University teachers and students take a field trip to Western Academy of Beijing
Apr 12, 2019
Peking University, April 12, 2019: Professor Yan Fengqiao, dean of Peking University’s Graduate School of Education, and nearly 20 postgraduates visited the Western Academy of Beijing on March 29.
Group photo
Established in 1994, the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) is highly internationalized, meeting the increasing needs of foreigners working in Beijing whose kids need quality education. WAB is currently ranked among the top 10 in the “China's top 300 international schools in competitiveness in 2018”, according to a list released by King Lead.
At ten in the morning, the founder of WAB, Michael Crook showed PKU teachers and students around the campus. Most buildings here displayed western styles, but with Chinese elements like bowers, wooden bridges and pavilions etc. It is a campus where Chinese and Western styles meet and complement each other.
Inside the Western Academy of Beijing
WAB adheres to the principle of “connect•inspire•challenge: make a difference” and undertakes the mission of creating a harmonious community and a beneficial learning environment for students. Carrying out the “FLoW21” (the Future of Learning at WAB 2021) program, WAB offers hundreds of courses, including courses on handicraft, drama, music and dance. This project breaks the traditional teaching modes, cultivating students based on their interests and capabilities. In the classroom, students can better exercise creative thinking and effectively interact with the teachers, forming a sound atmosphere for interactive and effective learning.
The advanced IT education system of WAB is also impressive. Digital learning has become a common and important part of students’ daily studies. The on-site demonstration of I-learning shows the visitors how the application of educational technologies can innovate the education methods and help establish students’ ability to learn independently.
Practice goes deeper than theoretic knowledge. The visit to the international school helps build a deep understanding of the significance of education and a clear awareness of the differences between Chinese and western primary education. Hao Xiaowei, a member of the visiting group, said that this visit made him understand the original and the most classic model of international schools, which demonstrated the advanced international education perspectives and strong humanistic concern, and pushed him to reflect on the existing problems in education nowadays.
Marta, principal of WAB, and Wang Wenjing, director of Chinese projects, had an in-depth communication with representatives from Peking University. Both sides are planning for further cooperation and interaction.
By carrying out practical activities closely relevant to students’ major, PKU’s Graduate School of Education makes substantial efforts to broaden students’ horizon, and helps students move forward in seeking the truth.
Written by: Guo Xinyu
Edited by: Fu Wenyun
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
