Wang Yuanyuan

    cheekywang@hotmail.com

    IN Shenzhen, homeschooling has become a new trend for some families.

    In one popular online chatting group, “Studying at home in the Shenzhen area,” more than 200 parents have registered as members to share their experience and knowledge of homeschooling.

    Homeschooling is a method of education by which parents or family teachers teach children at home.

    “Most of the families in the group choose to teach children by themselves or hire some family teachers. Some also gather three or four children together to study at home,” said Guo Zhongqi, founder of the online group and father of a 5-year-old girl.

    As the founder of the group, Guo thinks highly of homeschooling and his method of education.

    “My daughter, Sichen, went to a private kindergarten in Bao’an District when she was 3. But the tuition fee has increased by 2,000 yuan (US$325) per semester since last year. I was not happy about it, so we decided to teach her ourselves at home,” Guo said.

    Guo explores some special teaching methods. “Sichen has learned more than 1,000 characters in only one summer, so we think that we made a right decision and will let her continue studying at home,” Guo said.

    Many homeschooling parents sharing the same thoughts as Guo agree that their education methods are better than those offered at schools.

    Sichen plays games with her father while listening to piano music everyday after 8 a.m. In the afternoon, she will practice piano, read books, or learn about paintings according to her mood. In her spare time, she mostly reads Chinese literature or English story books under the guidance of her father.

    “School education is like a production line in a factory. They educate different children in one way and make them become the same,” Guo said. “Home education is different. I can teach my child in a special way which fits her very well and respects her personality. So my child is more thirsty for knowledge than those at kindergartens and schools.”

    Besides those who disapprove of school education, another major group for homeschooling is formed by those who gave birth in Hong Kong.

    Under existing rules, children born in Hong Kong cannot enrol at public schools in Shenzhen. “But it is very difficult for us to apply for a convenient kindergarten or school in Hong Kong. It is very exhausting for both children and us if we run between Hong Kong and Shenzhen every day, and the cost is high,” said a mother identified as Zhong.

    Zhong’s son is now studying at their Shenzhen home with other four children around the same age who hold Hong Kong citizenship.

    The parents hire a qualified American teacher to teach them English for half of the day and a normal university graduate to teach them Chinese in Cantonese for the second half of the day. A music teacher is invited to give them lessons once a week and the parents also plan to find a painting teacher. When the children are old enough, they will be sent to Hong Kong primary schools.

    “Home education is good because the children have a lot of time for outdoor sports and other activities. The most important thing is that our children feel very happy about this experience,” said another father called Liu Linli.

    However, some parents think that homeschooling may not be very good for children’s communication skills and social abilities.

    “Homeschooling does not mean to lock up the children and separate them from the outside world. For example, Sichen can still make friends at her dancing and piano classes. We will also take her hiking with other children. I don’t think that she has problems when playing with other children,” Guo said.

    Guo admits that it may be a little more difficult to teach children about society, but they try very hard to teach her in other ways. “No education method is perfect. For homeschooling, I think the problem can be solved by a small group of children studying together,” Guo said.