Movie Analysis: The Smartest Kids In The World

Amanda Ripley’s book The Smartest Kids in the World explains that dysfunctional education systems in many countries can be blamed on lack of proper discipline, which demonstrates in the film “The Class” by Laurent Cantet. A classroom consists of both teachers and students that even if one side does not participate or disturbs the class, the achievement and performance of both the teachers and the students are likely to be poor. The students’ inappropriate behaviors and languages in class, inattentive attitude on the importance of education, and teachers’ inability on teaching classes efficiently all prove that without certain practical rules or standards applied, low performance becomes common and even worsens if a change in discipline policy …show more content…
In the movie scene, Souleymane along with other boys in the back of classroom questioned Mr. Marin’s sexual orientation in the middle of class. Students were laughing and talking as they were expecting to see a joke. Besides, talking back and arguing with teachers about non-academic related topics were common scenes in the movie that the students interrupted the class on purpose without feeling sorry or showing any respect to their teachers. From the teacher’s perspective, he called out two girls in the class as “bitches” when he was irritated, which was very unprofessional and lack of respect for his students. On the contrary, in The Smartest Kids in the World, Ripley uses Finland as an example from Kim’s learning experience at Finish high school. Ripley describes that the students were all taking notes and sitting quietly in the classroom. Students didn’t talk except if the teachers asked them to answer a question. Teachers and students maintain any classroom conversation academically(85). Students respect the teachers because they want to learn and earn good grades, and they are grateful for their education opportunities. Teachers respected students because of their professionalism as experienced educators and also because of the common understanding of respect as the basis of all human …show more content…
In the movie, problems in a classroom reflect on major educational problems including unmotivated students who have no goals, lack of mutual respect in the classroom, and unprofessional teachers under a loose scanning system. The author of the book discusses on similar issues and further analyze them with research and data collected worldwide in order to find out reasons and solutions. In order to improve, a system must accept changes and courage to challenge for not only a better future for the children but also a better future for this