About the Host School
The school was established in 1964 and has approximately 2,500 students on role from 12 to 19 years of age. The ethos of the school is to develop excellent high school graduates with outstanding foreign language skills, solid academic knowledge and creative ability. It is also among the 13 foreign language schools, approved by the National Ministry of Education, with the right to send 20% of their high school graduates to College exempt from the national college entrance examinations.
HFLS is a key school in the province and nationally with English language learning strongly emphasised. The school has carried out an 'all-English', small class teaching model for a number of years with great success. Every year, the school holds speaking contests which have been hugely successful and students have reached the highest standards for national middle schools focused on foreign language education. HFLS has frequent communications with international education partners and has received over 50 delegations from many countries and regions. These activities have not only improved cultural and educational communication, but also broadened the vision for both teachers and students.
The school campus is very modern and feels very much like a university campus. It boasts an ultra modern library, a sports stadium, several well equipped lecture rooms and board rooms. The campus canteen is modern and caters for different needs – there is a large canteen for everyday use and a canteen for more refined food prepared with a more personal touch. Private dining rooms can also be booked – where the food served is superb. Classrooms are bigger in size than the average school and equipped with a computer and projector, as well as the usual white board and notice boards. Internet connection is available in each classroom.
Modern, well-equipped student boarding facilities are also on campus. There is also a guest house to cater for short stays. The school gardens and grounds are beautiful and create a park-like atmosphere.
The school is currently under direct control of the Zhejiang Provincial Government. It is, however, in the process of being transferred to the Hangzhou City Education Authorities. Once the transfer of students has been completed, the facilities will be taken over by one of the local universities. The A Level centre, however, will remain on the present campus.
About the A Level Centre
The centre was established in September 2008 and currently has over 360 students on role. We have 16 foreign teachers and over 30 Chinese teachers and staff.
Our students are hardworking, intelligent, polite, well disciplined, goal orientated and set high standards for themselves. They read way beyond the syllabus parameters and classroom discussions are very active and lively. Our results at AS and A2 level have been excellent year on year.
The centre is fully equipped with science laboratories, art rooms, music rooms, lecture theatres, IT rooms, language laboratories and a host of classrooms.
Students participate in a number of extracurricular offered by both the host school and the centre including; Drama Club, Graphic Calculators, Basketball, AP Psychology, Physics Club, Running Club, Philosophy Club, Badminton Club, Language of Business, How Buffet Does It, STEM, French, German, Spanish and TV Station.
Lifestyle
In terms of accommodation, there are several areas where flats can be found, such as the western part of city and near to the school. Many of our foreign teachers prefer to live near the school and the area benefits from good restaurants, shops, supermarket and shopping mall. Most of our staff live in 1 or 2 bedroom flats and larger flats can be found here too within a reasonable price. Other areas closer to the downtown area are more expensive.
We're a close knit team and enjoy meals out, visits to interesting places and a range of other leisure activities. In general, teachers at the HFLS A Level centre work very hard but have an enjoyable lifestyle.
Hangzhou is often referred to as 'the most beautiful city in China' with its stunning West Lake and surrounding countryside. West Lake is one of the most famous tourist attractions, but there are also many others: Lingyin Temple, Solitary Island, Six Harmonies Pagoda, Mausoleum of General Yue Fie and Songcheng Theme Park. Hangzhou is also very close to Suzhou, Shanghai and a vast number of other cities with as many attractions. These are all conveniently linked by rail, road and air.
Hangzhou has a perfect mix of history, culture, nature and modern city life. While it is one of China's ancient capitals with much cultural and historical heritage, it is also one of China's most modern cities. It is extremely safe and the pleasant living environment has received many civic awards. The pace of life here is not so rushed, and the sky and cityscape generally clean and clear.
Further information can be found about Hangzhou at: http://www.echinacities.com/cityguide/hangzhou
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/hangzhou.htm
http://www.hangzhou.gov.cn/main/zpd/English/
http://www.dragonair.com/da/en_INTL/helpingyoutravel/destinationdetails?cityCode=HGHhttp://www.webtourist.net/china/hangzhou/tourist-information.phtml
http://www.biztradeshows.com/china/hangzhou/hangzhou.html
Teacher Case Study
Jeremy Exelby, Chemistry
After spending many years in the chemical industry, I decided several years ago to return to my first choice of career – that of teaching. I am very pleased that I did as there can be few more rewarding roles than helping young people to develop their talents and make a successful start in their further education.
Whilst I enjoy teaching mathematics, my real interest is in the physical sciences, and so this year has seen me teaching both physics and chemistry. It has been a most pleasant change, especially the practical work since science is a juxtaposition of theory and experiment, and one aspect cannot progress without the other.
The students here at Hangzhou Foreign Languages School cannot be faulted and are without exception, hard-working and well-mannered. The strong teamwork and supportive approach of all the staff made my arrival trouble free and they continue to provide assistance whenever I need it. Furthermore, it is a pleasure to work in such an impressive campus with all the facilities it provides.
This is my first time in China and I am impressed by so much that I see.
Student Case Study
Emily Xiong
I started at the A Level Centre in 2012 and I absolutely love it! The environment is wonderful and the teachers are all super! Life here is fulfilled, with all those fun lessons and diverse activities. I am completely free to find what I love and to pursue my interests. If given another chance, I would definitely choose this centre again. It is just the place for me!
I did not realize how exciting the CAL centre can be until I actually started it. This programme has transformed me, bit by bit, to a whole new person. I am capable of thinking critically, solving problems independently, and boldly expressing myself. I have a global vision. I like being with people from different cultural background.
I mentioned that the CAL centre is exciting partly because of the challenges I face here. At first the British system of education is challenging, which is obviously very different from the Chinese education I formally received. Then, as I participated in different activities and started to improve, the problem solving skills and leadership skills became important, and especially valuable for me, who had no such experiences before. Now the problem of balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities and all the standard tests arises. These challenges, though sometimes frustrating, are part of life. It is these that make the CAL centre unforgettable.
I have already made the decision to study in the US for university. I am looking forward to the college life (probably because of the food, like the lobster in Boston and ice-cream in Wisconsin! So yummy!)
