Chinese exchange students and their teachers give Marlborough full marks

Chinese students from The Middle School affiliated to Beijing Jiatong University and their teachers have been visiting St John’s for a two week cultural exchange.  Ending with a typical English afternoon tea party, the group enjoyed attending lessons with their Year 10 exchange partners as well as visits to Bath, Oxford, London and Marlborough market.

The students told marlborough.news on what was their last day here,  “Marlborough is a good place, the school is outstanding and the teachers are gentle.” 

Comparing the life of a UK student with their lives in China they commented, “It’s a pretty free-styled education here, there’s a much bigger campus, there’s not much homework and the Maths is easy !”

British food was, on the whole,  “Not that bad.”  They enjoyed fish and chips and mashed potato.

“I love it here, ”commented Chinese teacher YiYanXia,  “the teachers and students are friendly.”

“We’ve seen some amazing architecture,”added teacher Winter Zhu.

St John’s students are excited about their return trip to Beijing and have been taking Mandarin lessons in preparation.  The visit will include participating in lessons in the school, learning Chinese calligraphy and painting, watching a Kung Fu Sports Competition and visiting the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.

St John’s teachers, Chris Field, trip leader, and Stephanie Hines will be accompanying the students to Beijing.  Stephanie told marlborough.news : “I’m looking forward to the cultural experience and experiencing something completely different.  The St. John’s students have made good friends with their partners.  It’s an amazing opportunity for the school.”