And sometimes when we talk about the differences between Italian school and American high school I get really annoyed. I feel like I'm not explaining properly and I'm giving the wrong impression and not getting my point across. It's really frustrating. I don't know if I can explain here but I'm going to try.
My host school places a huge emphasis on memorization. To study for a test, students memorize their textbooks. In my opinion, that skill set isn't valued in America. Sure, we use memorization for Spanish vocab and physics equations, but we're not really asked to memmorizeeee pages and pages of text.
For instance, to study for a Government test, I would read my textbook, read my notes, read Ali Weiner's notes, and then find multiple choice examples online to test my knowledge. I didn't sit in front of my textbook for hours repeating the same thing over and over again, memorizing someone else's words.
When Ludovica studies for a test she sits in front of her textbook and reads the same thing countless times until she has memorized it word for word. She is only satisfied when she can recite the entire thing outloud.
Now to cut on American schools.... first of all we are not well read. Or at least, I'm not. These students study literature from all over the world. The students in my class have read everthing from Pride and Prejudice (IN ENGLISH!!!) to 1984 to Anna Karenina to ancient Greek mythology. And they remember every detail of everything they've read.
Secondly, yes I took trig and physics last year but, no I don't remember any of it. Maybe that's just me being stupid, but here, forgetting things I learned last year wouldn't fly. Ludovica remembers everything she's ever studied and I think a lot of that has to do with how highly memorization is valued.
Third, we don't have oral tests in America. I mean we kind of do in foreign language classes, but not really compared to here. Here in Italy, oral tests are called "interrogazione" or "interrogations" and they are very stressful. You can be interrogated not only in language classes but in science and math as well. It works like this. The teacher will say to you the week before, "ok class, next week we start interrogations." Then everyone freaks out and goes home to memorize their textbooks. The next week you can be called on at any moment to be interrogated... in front of everyone. For math or science classes you go up to the board and solve really difficult problems - with everyone staring at you, of course. For literature or language classes you usually stay seated while the teacher asks something you're not expecting and glares at you while scribbling notes furiously. The entire process is really intimidating. It puts you on the spot. You're forced to think quickly and articulate these ideas out loud which, in my opinion, is a real skill set.
Yes, in America we have "PowerPoint presentations" but you know exactly what is expected of you and it is up to you whether or not you prepare. And you always have the option of winging it. Before an interrogation, you have no idea what you will be asked, only what pages of your textbook to study. It's very different. In my opinion, being able to think on your feet is an underdeveloped skill set in America. It has a lot of real life application and I'd like to see American students intimidated a little bit more.
Ok lastly, America and Italia are great countries. They have their issues, but they're also both filled with extremely smart, hardworking people who are trying the best they can. It's so easy to get angry when comparing your home country with someone else's home country. Both Ludovica and I take a lot of pride in where we come from and that's a good thing. It's important to be proud of where you come from. But having an open mind is even more important and I haven't been practicing that skill set. I need to keep remembering a few things:
- Lower Merion isn't perfect
- Some students in America & Italy work hard
- Some students in America & Italy don't work hard
- We all want to do the best we can
- Everyone can improve
Ok hopefully the next time American school comes up in conversation I don't freak out. Hopefully.
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