China's Secret Learning Method (It's Insane)

Growing up, I wrote everything down and rewrote my notes when studying. I instinctively knew that writing helped me retain information. At 12, I was told I was a speed reader with 96% comprehension. I read constantly as a kid, so perhaps that contributed—I don’t know. Later, in college, I discovered that if I studied in the same place where I would take the test, I recalled more information. I also think having students teach a topic is a powerful learning tool: explaining something forces the brain to organize and retrieve what it knows and exposes what it doesn’t yet understand. There’s a well-supported concept called desirable difficulty: learning tends to stick better when the brain has to actively retrieve, reconstruct, explain, or apply information rather than passively reread it. That fits exactly with what I experienced—rewriting, recalling, teaching something to someone else, testing myself. But the bigger question for me is: Is the knowledge retained? Do students actually understand it? Can they apply it and build upon it? I put my kids in Montessori schools partly because the philosophy made sense to me. Montessori education engages multiple senses through hands-on materials, allows children to progress at their own pace, and emphasizes mastery and self-directed learning rather than constant comparison. For a child who is afraid of being “wrong,” reducing that pressure can also create a calmer state in which learning is easier. Nervous systems that are revved up in fear interfere. So when we compare how “smart” children are across countries, I think we need to look beyond test scores. I’ve never liked the idea of IQ tests. “Smart” doesn’t equal productive or successful or being a helpful part of community. It’s a limited concept. And applies pressure in ways that don’t enhance learning. My opinion. How children are taught to learn, retain, understand, question, and apply knowledge matters enormously. Learning should require effort, not suffering. Challenge strengthens learning; fear can interfere with it. And I’m not suggesting these children are suffering—this is simply my philosophy, shaped partly by early years growing up in the ’60s. I learned early that embarrassment or fear never made me learn better. Challenge did. Positive reinforcement did.

I always enjoy your posts, I absolutely Love this channel. Theres so much to learn and do, with so little time: Pls do something around how to learn books and take courses faster and more efficient in today's world.

Space isn’t empty.

Fascinating

hmmmm....you don´t think this method is producing " soldiers"? . It is a completely different culture... you showed us 3 exceptional characters who rose to exceptional success... where are all the billions of the others there? ...our western civilisation is so different and....

Practice makes perfect. Is that not a western teaching method these days?!