ALREADY DISCUSSED FOR PHYLLIS YOUNG ONLY

Mahvish Abid

Professor Erik Martinez

English 11000

September 28, 2015

Global Education: London to New York

One of the most important factor of many young children’s life in America is and has always been achieving a decent education. A decent education is defined in multiple different ways depending on its geographic influence. The debate over which city provides a better education — comparing New York City to London — has been raging for a long time. The cities are alike in that they're both densely cosmopolitan metropolises, but they also have their differences. However, though they may have dissimilar education systems, the mission is the same – providing a bright future for all children. The right school and teacher offers a child the chance to develop a fully rounded outlook. The United Kingdom follows a more formal and strict education system with highly trained teachers. The U.S. practice’s a flexible curriculum with its teachers being primarily state and local based in contrast to UK, where lecturers are from different countries. The first image, from the Warrick Page for the International Herald Tribune, is taken at a private London school representing a luxurious form of teaching. The second image, from The New York Times article, shows a different style of teaching with diverse students at a New York City middle school. Despite the differences in environment, budget and resources, the

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images discussed below, depict what teachers strive for their students to do their best in education. Educators are always providing for their kids.

The first image, as seen in fig. 1, represents British private education in a very ‘posh’ manner with students dressed in a particular uniform who are being assisted by an experienced educator. They stand in an old, classic building that embodies a ‘Hogwarts school of Wizardry’, from Harry Potter, impression to it with dark, hickory wood walls that include a panel of cream flowing across and a fancy colonial chandelier hanging in the room behind the teacher. A chandelier is not an object you would expect to see in a school, but similar decorative pieces are widely found in institutes in London, representing their historical background. The attire of the students consist of mahogany silk coats with thick black, vertical stripes over fresh clean, white collared shirts. The ties are exactly identical to the coats they are wearing expressing strict guidelines British schools possess, even if it’s just a uniform. The pressure of standards are visible through something as simple as a matching tie; the school demonstrates precisely what they expect from the students and their parents in order to live up to the school’s image.

The teacher who looks upon the students with a synchronized smile, leaning against a door holding tightly unto the knob, is well prepared to lead the nervous group of children standing in front of him. He also wears a mahogany tie, following the school’s color code, and looks of Scottish descent. In the United Kingdom, the most qualified trained teachers are from Scotland, this is also where the Prince of Britain went to University due to its prestigious form of education. The particular selection of the teacher portray the formal set of rules the school exemplifies whilst the architecture of the building follows the 19th century design. The teacher’s room is of one that is very similar to an attorney’s traditional office. Set in the background of the

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picture in fig. 1, the furniture consists of an exclusive leather chair, a pecan colored office table of an executive design made of wood, all positioned by a sprawling boxed window.

Fig. 1. School in London

This image was included in Guttenplan D.D.’s article in The New York Times because he wanted to inform his readers of the pressure and responsibilities British children, parents and teachers face on a daily basis. Having taught in London myself I can relate to the scrutiny that comes with schooling in Britain. The author of the article explains the costs, where fees are average $32,000 a year for a private secondary school, and academic aspirations the British education system require regardless of its financial grasp. The author finds the system to be a

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very cutthroat competition with absolutely no sense of partnership. Guttenplan sparks how distinctive and old-fashioned British education is, setting its own agenda and requirements. He describes through the image how a student’s specific attire is meant to set the path for an internal base of secure self-confidence, infusing physical appearance with defined success. The attractive 19th Century structural design, as seen in the image, derives from the Victorian Era in history – referring to the reign of Queen Victoria. That period of time represented many elements of wealth, luxury, class and high standards which are all now embedded in the arrangement of British education. Guttenplan portrays through his image how the education system of Britain is heavily influenced by its history and notion of “following tradition”, and these fundamentals are clearly visible in fig. 1.

Taking a more casual approach to education, the image in fig. 2 displays the idea that the key to a great education does not necessarily have to be in a dramatized environment, involving of luxury and high quality according to the author Winnie Hu. The author indicates how this particular notion is depicted in a concrete way, set in a common classroom with multi-ethnic students gathered close to one another. The teacher, dressed in an old khaki coat pointing at a child, close up front, portrays a comfortable relationship between the teacher and student. There is no particular dress code, as the students are wearing what they please, whether it’s a jersey from their favorite football team, to a hoodie, with one individual even wearing a cap on his head. Winnie makes it clear that there are no strict guidelines to follow here. The teacher has caught everyone’s attention in the room with his firm stance and manner. He wants the children to learn and grow, and he will do what it takes to get there. The elongated banner in

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Fig. 1. School in NY

the midst background placed on top of the magnetic whiteboard, states “Showing respect for others, shows respect for yourself”. Through the author’s image it is evident that a student does not necessarily needs to learn what is required by books and curriculum by are required to be prepped and trained on how to behave as a civilized individual in society. The American flag hanging from the side wall is a representation of the pride the school holds for its country. The student’s accomplishments are displayed all across the front board, encouraging progression and success.

In fig. 2 it is apparent that luxury and traditional methods do not essentially define a great education. American culture influence the settings of a classroom and its students, as it’s visible through the student’s attire and by the indication of the American flag. Equality of opportunity is

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achieved by allowing multi-ethnic students to learn and grow alongside with one another which supports a strong education system. The approach to teaching proves academic progress which is signified by the proud display of the student’s hard work.

With these images, an individual can conclude that the two education system –American and British- are physically very dissimilar but both promote fundamental values such as the rules of an institute as well as individual liberty. The standards of education place a responsibility on a teacher’s subject knowledge and sustains high standards of “literacy and articulacy” at all times. Both systems have their own guidelines to follow that set extraordinary expectations of pupils and teach well-structured lessons, promoting good progress among pupils. It is up to the teachers, regardless of their qualification to adapt to their children’s different needs and fulfill their wider responsibilities to school life. Guttenplan and Winnie have both captured the differences of each education system and have expressed their ideas through the images.The approaches to education may differ from region to region, but the values are the same.

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Works Cited

Guttenplan, D.D. "Read All About Top British Schools, on the Tube." The New York Times.

The New York Times. The New York Times, 22 Oct. 2012. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.

<http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/22/world/europe/22iht-educlede22.html?_r=0>

Hu, Winnie. "Gossip Girls and Boys Get Lessons in Empathy." The New York Times.

The New York Times, 04 Apr. 2009. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.

<http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/education/05empathy.html>