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[ESL Guru]

Knowing the China syndrome that all students pass, even if admins have to change grades, I embarked upon a new approach this term.

I turned in my grades for 240 uni students with 9 "F"s. I then explained to my FAO that these students are not qualified to matriculate to the next academic level and need to repeat the course again next year at additional fees to the school. I explained that this educational philosophy fits with the Chinese �modernization� efforts and that requiring the students to pay additional fees to repeat a class fits with the new �socialistic economics with Communist characteristics� also known as good old capitalism.

I also explained about school reputation and employer expectations of graduates but by that point the dollar signs (rmb) had blinded my FAO.

The FAO called each of the 9 students into his office and explained why they would be required to repeat the course next year and that they would be required to pay additional fees.

It could become fashionable to fail students.

[Roger]

This is what I call "cultural revolution", ESL Guru! You succeeded in bringing to China western philosopjhy and striving for excellence!
If you have persuaded your school to require these underachievers to repeat a class you are a real shaker and mover!
In my neck of the woods, teachers usually have to give extra time to these students and give them an "extra chance" - normally at lowered criteria!
Then they cannot fail no matter how poor their English is!

[Jojo]

Good for you GURU. It's ludicrous that all students pass if they are not ready to move onto a higher level. Even here in Ontario teachers are specifically (minor exceptions) not supposed to fail a child. Why you ask?

Well the same reasons I suppose in China..Money< Money! Does the government/school boards care that the child goes to the next level not at the same level of their peers let, alone same age.

Although, there has been many papers published saying that it is better not to fail a child. Better to not fail a child because they will be with the same peers, not isolated etc.. but, are they getting the extra help they need within the classroom. Not usually.

The teacher tries his/her best with the lack of resources available I'm sure, although, with class sizes of 30 or more, and more and more special needs students in the classes. You can guess why not. Well, I think you are right that holding students back will help them in the long run. Does this happen often in China?

Jo

[Roger]

Oh, money! Money may be ONE of the considerations, but not the MOST important one, Jojo!
The biggest one would be the loss of face for the institution that recruits its students on the strength of the belief of parents that 90% of its students succeeded (because "we are the best school this side of the moon..." or some such c..p!).

And, as an expat your opinion is not that of an expert but that of a mere oral English teacher! The ones that have any say are the Chinese teachers, and you can guess why they will not admit that students in THEIR class were not up to the task at the exam!
It is a vicious cycle!