Education ~ 5 Differences of the Chinese and American Classroom

https://prometour.com/5-differences-of-the-chinese-and-american-classroom/

1) The Classroom

One of the first contrasts you can find when comparing the American and Chinese classroom is size. Chinese teachers are responsible for 30 to 50 students, whereas an American teacher is typically used to a maximum of 20 students. Due to a larger classroom, the teacher’s focus is not on the individual student like it is in Western culture, simply because it is both challenging and inefficient. Therefore, with no emphasis on “one on one” student development; China’s classroom run far larger than ours.
It is also important to note that in China, it isn’t uncommon for a teacher not to have their own classroom. The reason behind this is because they circulate from each classroom they teach in; while students stay in the same classroom at their assigned desk

2) The Teacher

China’s education system lacks an element of fluidity when it comes to teachers moving or as some refer to as looping. American students have a number of different teachers throughout their academic studies whereas Chinese students can have the same teacher who will stay with them for a minimum of three years; sometimes even throughout all their years of primary school.

3) The Exams

A common denominator between the Chinese and American education system is exams. Exams determine everything in Chinese culture and are taken very seriously by the Chinese people. However, in China, exams are not only a reference point to evaluate a student’s progress; they also determine a teacher’s value seeing as they have taught the same group of students for an extended period of time. Depending on the level of improvement of the class from their entrance and exit exams; the teacher then receives an appropriately fitted raise.

4) The Element of Creativity

- Creativity does not thrive in China as much as it does here in North America. Where the arts are heavily encouraged at a young age in the American education system, China’s main focus for education is memorization and logic. There are certain downfalls with this kind of structured education system as many Chinese students simply work hard to memorize answers which leaves them with little to no room for innovation.
- Time plays another factor in the lack of creativity as Chinese students are bombarded with homework, leaving them with no time for extracurricular activities such as team sports, dance or art classes. Chinese students take their education very seriously as it is embedded in a society that a good education is the key to a successful life. Although Americans share this mindset to a certain degree; in China, a student’s time is only devoted to school and their studies until they graduate and transition into their careers.

5) Nationality vs. Individuality

- China’s national pride is evident throughout the country -, especially amongst its people. This is recognized at a very early age and repeated throughout Chinese students academia. Individual praise is rarely, if not ever, expressed since success is measured and celebrated as a team in the name of China; whereas, in the United States and most Western cultures, individuals who succeed are often praised for their achievements.
- It is not so much that there is a lack of individuality amongst the Chinese people; it is that the Chinese people are humble and grateful for everything China has offered them – recognizing and thanking their country for giving them the opportunities to achieve their goals and get them to where they stand today.
- Essentially, there are many factors which differentiate the Chinese and American education system. It is always interesting to speculate how different school systems are structured, how they function and what teaching regimes they choose to implement. Keep in mind that our intentions of this blog article were not to point fingers at which educational system is better, but to highlight how the learning experience is complex and does not follow one universal system.
Fundamentally, when juxtaposing the Chinese and American education systems there is a list of pros and cons. However, when speculating both systems – it can be said that both parties have something to learn from each other, which really is what learning is all about isn’t it?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140612075005-308025461-6-differences-between-teaching-chinese-kids-and-american-kids

6 Differences Between Teaching Chinese Kids and American Kids

1. Strive for perfection
Chinese kids receive a lot of pressure from their parents and teachers to focus on perfectionism. When they receive a grade of 98%, instead of receiving praise on how well they did, their parents will often focus on the 2% that the child failed to answer correctly. Americans tend to focus less on scores. The American grading systems convey a more general message on how to judge academic progress. Instead of putting a number, they would put a star, a smiling face or for older kids, an “S” or “S+”.


2. Self-esteem
The Confucian mindset teaches Chinese kids to work hard, persevere and respect authority. These are the keys to succeeding in life, with feeling good about yourself given less of a priority. Over 40 years ago, it was introduced to Americans that a young learner’s self-esteem plays a significant role in developing their social and psychological skills. Less pressure is exerted on achieving 100% in every test and success is linked to a wider range of things beyond just test scores.


3. Respect for Teachers
According to an international study reported on by the BBC based on surveys of 1,000 adults from different countries, China has the highest level of public respect. The cultural difference in how the teaching role is perceived plays an important part on how the students behave inside the class and how they value education. In China, parents are more likely to take the side of the teachers instead of going against them, while in America, teachers are not seen by both parents and students as the last word in authority. These differences have implications for classroom management techniques required in the Chinese and American classrooms.


4. Level of dependence
Chinese parents and teachers are not generally inclined to develop their children to be as independent as their American counterparts. Instead of training the students to think and find the answers on their own, in the Chinese education system, the answers are spoon-fed to them. They focus a lot on rote-learning and a lot of repetition. American kids are generally better at thinking on their own. American schools put strong emphasis on critical thinking and questioning things while Chinese kids are not expected to learn this in school; they have to learn this on their own.


5. Creativity
Chinese kids do a lot more homework than American kids. After their regular school, most of them still have to go to after school programs which give them less opportunity to do extracurricular activities and sports compared to American kids. As a result, it gives them less time to imagine, think, create and play. American kids have a lot of time to do other things outside school which gives them a wider perspective on life and allows them to explore other things on their own.


6. Personal happiness
- This is where Chinese kids are far behind American kids. Chinese people believe that education can push their economic status forward and can fuel social mobility. Chinese kids focus too much on education as they receive a lot of pressure from their parents, teachers and even their peers, while their personal happiness is not considered nearly as important. Studies have shown that the most common emotional health concern for Chinese kids is stress especially from academic pressure.
- American kids are more likely to have leisure activities, do sports and devote time to doing things they enjoy which releases them from the pressures of school and allows them to experience a more varied and happy life outside of school.

- The influence of culture, society and family plays a strong part on the differences between American kids and Chinese kids inside the classroom. There are a lot of other factors that could affect a student’s behavior inside the classroom like socio-economic status, parental background and a lot more. It is best if the teacher spends time to find out more about each students’ individual needs, learning styles and personality and teaches to them as best as they can.

Education ~ Differences between Asian and American Systems

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-big-differences-between-asian-american-education-systems-rector

10 Big Differences between Asian and American Education Systems

Student participation
- American culture encourages students to express their opinions about a particular subject matter freely. They are also encouraged to discuss some topics with other students and the teacher, and to do projects at home.
- On the other hand, Asian schools are completely different. Schools in Asian countries are lecture-based, and learning is memorization-based. Creativity is not required, discipline is. The teacher presents a particular matter and lectures while students are sitting and carefully taking notes.

Teacher – student relationship
- The relationship between a student and a teacher in American schools is casual and friendly. Students are allowed to communicate with their teachers freely. Also, teachers value students’ opinions without a dismissive attitude.
- Asian countries are characterized by a certain hierarchy, which transmits onto schools as well. Schools have their own hierarchy that doesn’t incorporate casual and friendly relationships between teachers and students. Teacher-student communication in the average Asian school is strictly formal. Teachers respect students and demand respect in return. Openly disagreeing with a teacher isn’t encouraged. As a result, many Western teachers, when teaching in Asia, find the students to be highly respectful.

Classrooms
- The American grading system is very simple – when a student gets a particular score, he or she gets a grade that is in the range for that score e.g. scoring higher than 93 gives you an A, but also scoring at least 93 gives you an A as well.
- The grading system in Asian schools is more complicated than that in the American system. However, it’s also more precise. Asian schools use a relative grading system, which doesn’t have a set score that defines the great. Instead, the system divides scores into percentages and assigns different grades to specific percentages.
- For example, students whose grades are in top 35% in entire class can receive an A, the next 40% get a B, etc. The primary purpose of this grading system is to increase competitiveness and motivate students.


After-school school, sort of

Children in America rely on their “regular” school education to study, get informed, etc. They do homework that was assigned to them by their teachers, and that would be it. On the other hand, Asian kids go to school after their regular schools. These are called different things, like Hagwons (학원) in South Korea, and Eikaiwas (英会話教室) in Japan; they are private academies.

Private academies teach kids subjects and lectures they are taught in schools. Many (all?) mothers in these countries send their children to these academies after school, which range in subjects taught from academic, instrumental, sport, and, most popular, English language study. These after school academies are probably why sleeping students are tolerated on occasion in public schools; their teachers know they have many hours of schooling left! And they know the students are most likely going to listen to the same subject matter in private academy later. Teachers from private academies assign kids additional homework. Some private academies open their doors during vacations only; children can stay there up to 11 PM. The government of South Korea had to place laws against hagwons being open late into the night because there was such demand from parents! Children go to these academies right after their regular schools.

Class size

American teachers usually work with smaller classes. For example, 25 – 30 students in one class. On the other hand, classes in Asian schools are much bigger. They can go from 35 students up to a staggering number of 65 students in some regions.

Homeroom concept

In American schools, children “change” their classmates all the time. One child can attend Math class with one group of students, while at English class he or she will see a completely different group of students in the classroom.

Asian schools have a homeroom concept in which students are assigned to particular classes where they stay throughout their time in that particular school, or if some student is particularly exceptional, then he/she gets the opportunity to advance. This cohort concept aims to bring different children closer together, to allow them to get used to each other which in turn increases productivity - so they say - as well.

Classrooms
Teachers in American schools have their classrooms. Children come to them. Also, each child has his or her own hallway locker where they place their stuff.

However, in Asian schools, each class has its own classroom and the teacher is the one who comes to them to lecture. That’s why there’s no need for hallway lockers. Children have their stuff with them at all times. After the language class is over, they put their books into their backpack and take out the book and notebook for the next class.

Head teacher

This is something that American schools don’t have, though I like it. In Asian schools, besides having teachers for different subjects, each class has its own head teacher (remember kids stay in one classroom the whole day, basically). This teacher is responsible for establishing discipline in his or her class. Also, the head teacher is the one who calls a child’s parents if he or she misbehaves. On the other hand, in American schools, each teacher has to establish discipline or contact parents on a per-student basis, amongst all his or her many students.


Discipline

Teachers in American schools are allowed to send their students out in case they misbehave or show lack of respect. Also, schools are allowed to suspend students.

Asian schools are different; according to their law, “no child shall be denied an education”, teachers aren’t allowed to send kids out of the classroom. Also, schools don’t suspend kids. They assume kids would fall in with a bad crowd, smoke, drink, or do other mischievous things if they are banned from the class.