International School Teens Prepare for the Unknown

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Students from Beijing’s international schools are excited yet nervous about the uncertainty of the weeks to come, with school out indefinitely and most institutions planning some method of online learning.

Most schools were due back from Chinese New Year holiday on February 3, but most, if not all, have postponed the start of school until at least February 17 in the face of rising uncertainty about the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus.

“Honestly, I’m really happy about the extended holiday, considering all the extra hours I’ll get for sleep and extra time for self-learning,” said Celine T, a Harrow Beijing Grade 7 student. “I’m relieved about how we get to stay home and meet fewer people, reducing the risk of getting infected.”

Jessica L, a Year 10 student at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB), has a different perspective. “I would actually rather go to school,” she said. “Personally, I think online learning relies too much on the internet connection; and the wifi at my house isn’t amazing,” she said.

She notes that previous attempts by her class to hold classes online resulted in spotty connections and missed content. “I couldn’t even hear what the teacher was saying at times,” she said.

Jessica suggested it might be a better idea to pre-record lessons and then ask students to email teachers instead of going through the trouble of interrupting the whole class in a live streaming lesson.

Sophie G, a Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) Grade 7 student, is mostly happy about being safe. “Homeschooling kids instead of letting them go to school during this period is a good choice to make,” she said. “I’m saying this not only because I’m a kid and I don’t like going to school, but also because of what I’ve heard about the coronavirus: it’s extremely contagious.”

“Since there are so many kids that go to school, there are a lot more chances of the coronavirus spreading around school grounds,” she said.

Photos: Unsplash

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