Class period timing and being overwhelmed

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Imagine going for teacher training and 45 minutes you're learning the song of the school, the next 45 minutes you're going around the school learning about the history of it, then the next 45 minutes discussing academic development. Tired? Students go through that every day, having to make their brains take in and adapt to vastly different things in so little time. Yeah, at school I did very well, but I had to fight against other students for the spotlight so my questions are answered, my vision is seen - and lots of the time I place my head on the desk, drained.

Is that the best public education can offer? I have not taught there for that reason - I always run out of time trying to meaningfully support students. I teach English, and in a reading lesson, after I start to make the topic understandable, then focusing on some highlighted key words, then practicing two model reading sentences, I run out of 90 minutes. If I have 45 minutes at a time in a class of 45 students, I'd either run through things like a show (how I did in internships), or do nothing measurable.

What's your experience? Any ideas?

@Nguyen-T-Phuong You're absolutely right
class period structure can be overwhelming for both students and teachers. I've faced similar challenges, especially with large class sizes and tight schedules. One strategy that helped me was breaking lessons into smaller, flexible segments and using peer support to keep engagement high. Also, flipped classroom models (where students prep at home and practice in class) can free up time for deeper interaction. You are not alone in this....

@Nguyen-T-Phuong Identify the most important assignments and tackle them first.
Break down large tasks: Divide overwhelming projects into smaller, manageable steps.
Create a schedule: Allocate specific times for studying, attending classes, and other activities.
Use a planner or calendar: Keep track of deadlines, appointments, and study sessions.

I’ve felt this too. I taught a class of 31 students with 40-minute sessions, and it often felt like surface-level teaching. One solution I’ve seen in progressive schools is block scheduling fewer subjects per day but longer periods (e.g., 2–3 subjects in-depth instead of 6 rushed sessions). That structure gives both students and teachers space to breathe, dive deep, and reflect. Sadly, many public systems aren’t designed for that flexibility.

@Nguyen-T-Phuong Your point about the challenges of traditional public education systems is well-taken. The rigid structure and time constraints can indeed make it difficult for students to fully absorb and engage with the material. The constant switching between different subjects, activities, and teaching styles can be overwhelming and exhausting for students.

Some potential issues with this approach include:

1. Limited depth and understanding: Rushing through material to fit time constraints can lead to superficial understanding rather than deeper comprehension.
2. Student burnout: The fast-paced and demanding nature of traditional education can lead to student fatigue, decreased motivation, and disengagement.
3. Teacher challenges: Managing large class sizes, limited time, and diverse student needs can be overwhelming for teachers, making it difficult to provide meaningful support.

To address these challenges, some educators and schools are exploring alternative approaches, such as:

1. Flexible scheduling: Allowing for more flexible and adaptive scheduling to accommodate different learning styles and needs.
2. Personalized learning: Tailoring instruction to individual students' needs, interests, and abilities.
3. Project-based learning: Focusing on in-depth, project-based learning that allows students to explore topics in a more meaningful and engaging way.

What do you think about these alternative approaches? Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the traditional education system?

@Nguyen-T-Phuong

Dear Nguyen-T-Phoung, I agree with your opinion, repeated Periods of 45 minutes is not an effective strategy. It also seems as conditional learning. To develop classrooms where students can freely learn beyond the limitations of time, strees of course completion and passing exams we should made some changes like:

1. Moving beyond exam-centric approaches
2. Implementing ongoing assessments
3. Giving teachers autonomy in designing their schedules
4. Reducing class sizes to 20-25 students

Kindly Regards
Sobia Rana Muhammad Irfan
Pakistan

Thank you for sharing this, it really hits home. The constant shift in focus, the pressure to perform and the lack of time to truly connect with students are real challenges in the current system. Learning shouldn't feel like a race and teaching shouldn’t feel like a performance. Your experience highlights the urgent need to rethink how we structure both teaching and learning time. Students and teachers deserve better.