By ROXANNE LOW PAU-LING
Before coming to Germany, I kind of knew that schools in Western countries would be different from Malaysian schools. However, just knowing about it wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to experience it for myself.
So here I am, in Itzehoe, Germany, being a school kid once again. My host sister Alicia and I set off for school at 7.30am, cycling there after a healthy meal of freshly-baked bread with ham or marmalade and some delicious hot cocoa.
Along the way to school, we will be joined by many other pupils cycling to school just like us. We certainly enjoy the early morning exercise in the cool morning air. It may be a long distance to school, but the fresh air and tranquil surroundings always make the ride relaxing and enjoyable.
School attire
Schools in Germany have no restrictions at all on what pupils can or cannot wear. It is totally up to them how they would like to dress to school. I wouldn’t say it is a good thing for me because I have to spend so much more time getting dressed for school.
Not only that, I’ve had to learn to put on some basic make-up so I wouldn’t be the odd one out. It was surely much easier when I only had to put on my school uniform.
The writer, Roxanne Low Pau-Ling (second from right), with her classmates in Itzehoe, Germany.
Pupils’ discipline
Having spent five years in a Malaysian secondary school where discipline is one of the main focuses, I feel so carefree attending school here. I have noticed that pupils have much more freedom than what I used to have back when I was still attending secondary school. They do not only have very few school rules, the teachers are also not so strict with the pupils’ discipline.
Surprisingly, even without all the rules stating what you are allowed or not allowed to do in school, it is very rare to find any pupil in my school having major disciplinary problems.
Learning in Class
One very obvious difference with the school here is that the average number of pupils in a class is only half of what we had in my secondary school.
With fewer pupils, the class is able to interact better. I find that the whole learning process is more fun because everyone gets the opportunity to participate in class activities.
The teachers would sometimes divide us into smaller groups for group discussions, where we would exchange our opinions and thoughts on certain topics.
Also, since the pupils are being constantly assessed in class on their participation and performance, they try to participate as much as possible when given the opportunity.
I think it is a very good way to make the students feel a part of the class and keep them from feeling bored.
Not only that, every lesson here is an hour long, and pupils are given 10-15min breaks in between lessons to change classrooms and prepare themselves for the next lesson. It is different from my school back in Malaysia where we had continuous lessons and only one 20min recess in the middle.
Help with homework
Attending extra tuition classes is not the norm here in Germany. If the younger pupils require help with their homework, they would seek help from older pupils in the upper classes or from some of the retired teachers.
I have a classmate who gives private help to others in Mathematics once a week, earning some pocket money in the process. I have also seen older pupils giving younger pupils help in the public library where the environment is quiet and perfect for learning.
Since pupils here don’t have to spend their time after school attending countless tuition classes, I would say that they pretty much have the rest of the day to do whatever they want. They get to join school projects, go for sports, take music or dance lessons, or pick up any hobby they’re interested in.
In other words, pupils are given the opportunity and free time to discover what it is they’re interested in doing.
* Roxanne, a BRATs, is currently doing a student exchange in Itzehoe, Germany. You can read more about her experiences there on her blog (http://rox-xanne.blogspot.com/).
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