Primary maths teaching in Shanghai: an exchange teacher’s view

How does maths teaching in a primary school in Shanghai look and feel to an experienced observing teacher from an English school? A Mastery Specialist from Leicestershire, who was among a group of teachers from Maths Hubs who visited Shanghai during school year 2018/19, gives her impressions.

Taking part in the discussion are:

• Afshah Deen, Primary Mastery Specialist and Year 2 teacher at Parkland Primary School, Wigston, Leicestershire
• Chris Shore, Maths Hub Lead, East Midlands South Maths Hub
• Steve McCormack, NCETM Communications Director

Episode chapters

• 03:29 – Afshah’s overview of the experience
• 06:36 – What impressed Afshah most
• 07:17 – What surprised Afshah
• 09:04 – A lesson on properties of 3-D shapes
• 10:10 – Thoughts on small steps within lessons
• 12:02 – Fluency of the Shanghai pupils
• 13:16 – Shanghai teachers’ planning and discussions
• 17:42 – How the experience has affected Afshah as a teacher
• 18:58 – The wider context of teacher exchanges over the year
• 24:19 – How ‘greater depth’ is viewed in Shanghai
• 27:43 – Afshah’s role in her area as a Mastery Specialist 

Information on where showcase lessons are being held in late January 2019.