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How China’s 2020 Shift to Online Classes Changed College Grades (Level A1) — a woman sitting on a bench using a laptop

How China’s 2020 Shift to Online Classes Changed College GradesCEFR A1

24 Nov 2025

Adapted from Shannon Roddel - Notre Dame, Futurity CC BY 4.0

Photo by Sanket Mishra, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
69 words
  • Research studies college students in China, 2020 lockdown.
  • Teaching moved suddenly from class to online.
  • Researchers compared more than 15,000 course records.
  • They used records from nearly 8,000 students.
  • They looked at nine universities.
  • Math scores rose after the move online.
  • Students improved "about eight to 11 points on a 100-point scale".
  • English and discussion classes helped much less.
  • Some lockdown rules gave parents more time at home.

Difficult words

  • switchto change from one thing to another.
    switched
  • classesgroups of students learning together.
  • performto do or carry out a task.
  • focusedto pay attention to something.
  • onlineconnected to the internet.
  • studentspeople who learn in school.
  • quicklydone in a short time.

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • How did online classes change your learning experience?
  • What did you like or dislike about online classes?
  • How did your parents help you with your studies?

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