| I think classroom customs in my native country are different than here. I remember we had to go to school on time. If not, you had to stand up in the corner of the classroom for 4 hours. Every week we had a test. If you didn't have 70% pass on your test, the teacher told you to read and write the test paper 100 times. Also, if you can't pass the test, you can't go up to the next level. But here, whether you pass the test or not, the kids still go up. No one stays in the same level. I think that is too bad for the kids in their future.--Julie |
| In my native country after World War II it was mandatory for children to go to school, Y level at 8 years old. They had to have education at Y level. A few years later, it was mandatory to have 7 years of education, then 10 years, and now 12 years. Before, all schools were public, but now everything has changed. Every city has private schools and universities too. During World War II, the schools were divided for boys and girls, but in 1954-1955 the schools for boys and girls were united. School was mandatory for all children.--Nelli |
| I want to tell you about one of my English teachers from my childhood. Why was he special? Because he was truly a teacher. He taught us to think and speak in English. In his past he worked as a military attaché in English and he had an English accent. All of his students were very proud to learn English from him. During the lessons we played, sang, and told small stories. He could ask you questions like, "If you have $1000, what are you going to do with it?" He forced us to learn English, but we were young and very naive. We thought we didn't need English in the future, and it was our huge mistake. I never forgot this poem that he taught us. When he got in class he we had to stand up and recite, "Good morning (3 times) to you, Good morning dear teacher, we are glad to see you." He always said to us, "It's difficult for only the first 10 years and then you become accustomed to it." It's a Russian idiom --Elena |
| In my native country it is mandatory for children to go to school. It's free and for 9 years the children have to go. It's the same for boys and girls. There are elementary schools (6 years), middle schools (3 years), high schools (3 years) and the university. The private schools are very expensive, but the education is much better. Most high schools, colleges, or universities require a test to get in. Teaching is considered a good profession, but many people prefer another profession because there is better pay.--Jorge |
| I remember a teacher who taught me civil law in Mexico. That teacher is special for me because he is the only teacher in the school who requested money for the final exam of the semester. Well, that is only for the students who didn't pass the final test. The student gave him money and the teacher put C, B, or A on the test paper, depending on how much you paid him. P.S. I never paid for a whole semester, just for one unit--Yolanda |
| Mandatory education is similar in all countries. What is particularly different is that the adult education is almost excellent here in America. The people who want to learn more even if they already graduated from school can take classes and have a lot of opportunities to meet good teachers and classmates. The people in my country have to study hard. Though the entrance examinations are so difficult, the graduation is pretty easy. It seems to me that they no longer want to study after their graduation.--Keiko |
| In my native country children begin learning at 7-8 years. The middle school has 7 years of classes. The high school has 2 years of classes. After the elementary school you can go to college. After middle school you can go to college or to a university. All boys and girls study together. All men and women have the same right to teach in schools, colleges and universities. I remember some of my teachers who gave me very good knowledge.--David |
| In my native country it's mandatory for children to go to school. They study 11 years. Most schools are public. In my native country students usually stand up when the teacher comes into the classroom or asks a question. All teachers in elementary school are women. In high school we can usually see a few teachers who are men, and in colleges and universities there are many men who teach. The best teacher who I remember was a teacher of Russian and literature. She was very intelligent and loved her subject. She not only introduced us to the treasure of Russian classic books, but she enabled us to meet the beautiful things that were avoided in the Soviet school program.--Inna |