Primary, secondary education in China for international students

The education system in China, the study of the Chinese language in Russia has recently reached extraordinary popularity: the reason for this was the strengthening of China in the role of one of the leaders of world politics and economics. Even in remote corners of our country, junior schoolchildren are already learning Chinese, comprehending the wisdom of calligraphy and pronunciation, and older children go for summer training in Chinese border cities – learning Chinese in China has become a top area of study abroad. If you've decided that your child's younger years are destined to take place in China, here's some useful information about schooling in China.

The system of Chinese school education resembles the Russian one and traditionally consists of primary, incomplete secondary and full secondary education. Compulsory education for Chinese students ends in grade 9, and then the parents and the student decide for themselves whether to study further or start working.

The vast majority of secondary schools in China are state-owned, but not every one of them has the right to enroll foreign students: for this, the school must receive special permission from the Ministry of Education. Having entered a Chinese high school, a foreign student devotes the first academic year to studying the Chinese language, and then proceeds to the main program.

Studies are conducted in Chinese or in Chinese and English, as the teaching staff often includes teachers from abroad. However, there is a small percentage of private schools where instruction is only in English: children of employees of large international companies and foreign ministries usually study here.

The school year in a Chinese high school consists of two semesters and usually starts on September 1.

The main difference between studying at a Chinese school is a large academic load. This is explained by the high complexity of the Chinese language: a schoolchild not only needs to learn thousands of characters, but also learn to write and pronounce them. Therefore, individual learning or working in mini-groups becomes impossible - the middle school class in China has 30-60 people, which saves the teacher time and effort. Some time ago, a decree appeared on the introduction of an 8-hour school day and a five-day work week in all Chinese schools: starting from 8 in the morning, classes are held in basic general subjects, then a break for lunch and rest is laid, and after lunch, students study creative and secondary school subjects . At 16 hours, the school day ends, and students can attend additional classes and go home.

Chinese secondary education pays great attention to politics, culture and sports, so during the week at least 70 minutes are allocated for physical education lessons, and any student, regardless of the language of instruction, will learn the basics and history of Chinese culture.

The last stage of secondary school education is not mandatory for all students: this is a kind of step before entering a university or employment. Senior students are initially determined with a priority:

• Academic - preparation for admission to the desired university
• Vocational - preparation for employment in a specific area.

At the end of the final year, all students pass a single state exam and can be enrolled in a university according to its results.

Discipline is not the last in Chinese high school: if a student misses 12 classes during a semester, he will be automatically expelled. And schoolchildren caught cheating or using cheat sheets during exams can say goodbye to their dream diploma and even get a 3-year prison term.

Foreign students have the right to study in both public and private secondary schools in China. Private schools sometimes work like a boarding school, where the child is under the supervision of teachers and educators around the clock: this option is ideal for students whose parents do not live in China. Education in such schools is usually based on British or American educational programs, conducted in English or Chinese, but necessarily includes the study of Chinese culture. In addition to general education lessons, such schools may include intensive English courses in preparation for international exams.

In addition to having a foreign passport and applying for a student visa (issued only after concluding an agreement with the school), there is one important nuance: every foreign student studying in a Chinese high school must have an official guardian living in China. He does not have to be a Chinese - it can be a foreigner with a residence permit in the country. He must draw up a guarantee for the student that he will behave approximately and study well - in case of problems, it is the guardian who will be responsible for the child.

Secondary schools in China, which accept foreign students, usually place them on campuses and dormitories, equipped with everything necessary. The school and campus can house a modern library, dining room, park, gym and pool. Of course, the variety of infrastructure and the cost of studying directly depend on the chosen city and school.

Here are the average prices for studying and accommodation in the best schools of megacities in China.

• Beijing: tuition fees at one of the oldest schools in the city will cost about $ 4,000 per semester, and accommodation on campus - from $ 900.
• Shanghai: you will pay about $ 5000 per semester for studying at a Shanghai-rated school, the cost of living is from $ 600.
• Tianjin: the cost of a semester of high school education starts at $ 3200, accommodation in a student residence - from $ 600 for six months.