As I’ve studied in American for around 3 months, I find there are many differences lies between Chinese and American education.
In China, schools are changing their idea of education from teacher centered to student centered. However, both teachers and students can hardly get used to this change. Although students are encouraged to ask questions and show their own opinions in class so that they can take teachers to the field where they want to learn, most of them are shy and afraid of come up with their own ideas for fear of being laughed. Teachers also cannot help talking nonstop and feeding students with knowledge. Besides, in educational area, I think China is a high context culture. Chinese teacher always praise students and they point out students shortage directly as well. Teacher always have a specific definition of right and wrong, which means students have to follow answers shown in book. China is more like a masculine society,which is especially obvious in high school. School will make a list according to students’ grades from high to low and show the top 20 on the wall to inspire students work hard. I really hate it!!
In America, students feel free to show their opinions in class and not that serious when having classes and talking with teacher. They can even leave before class over and not to mention teacher, which shocked me a lot. All right, I know this situation will only happen to big class.╮(╯▽╰)╭ Teachers also praise students a lot yet they show students’ shortage in an indirectly way, so students have to aftertaste what their teachers said and then got the point. I have to say sometimes it is really tired, and I prefer they tell me directly. Do you think so? Therefore, I think American is a high context culture.
As for online learning, I’m not used to it. I don’t like to read a lot in a second language. I prefer to listen it. Text information will lost a visual feeling. If you pick up a inpropore word, it may lead to an argument.
As far as I’m concerned, all these difference may result in characteristic. Americans are more open. These are my own view. If you find some other differences or your thought of education, please leave your comment.O(∩_∩)O
October 21, 2012
arielllll
Ariel! 
5 responses to “Education!”
rocioperez22
October 25th, 2012 at 07:20
Your post is short and sweet and i ejoyed reading it.
I have heard that in China, school and education is taken extremely sirius, is that true? The majority of Chinese people i have came across with have been extrmely smart. You talked about hating “the wall to inspire” where students grades get posted, i would love that wall if i were on the top 20 ^_^. The fame would probably go up to my head and start bragging a little, just for fun. I do like the fact that teachers in China tell students in a direct way when they are lacking something. Better up front than indirectly beacuse sometimes the indirect way may leave you guessing and not know for sure. Though i can not imagine what it would be like attending “teacher centered’ school. All my life i have been to student centered schools and i like it because i am able to speak up and not just keep quiet. Attending student centered schools is where i learned to find my voice and speak up when i have something to say no matter how dumb it may sound. I think in school you should ask as many quastions as you may have and be able to express your opinions on certain things. It is a way of learning and understanding. School prepares kids for the real world and in the real world you have to speak up if you want to be heard.
arielllll
October 26th, 2012 at 00:06
yeah, that’s true. Students are under huge pressures, so they have to work hard or they are not able to go to universities.The reason why Chinese people look smart is that all knowledge they accept here has been learned before they study aboard… like chemistry i’m learning now has been shown on my high school’s testbook. no wonder╮(╯▽╰)╭ As for the grades wall, if my name were on it, of course I would love it, kiss it and frame it~:P I’m really happy that you like the direct way, too. I think teachers use the indirect way because they consider about students’ face. but I don’t want face in knowledge! anyway… I admire you receive student-centered education. It can help students form a habit of daring to say whatever they want. To be honest, I will be shy when I showing my opinion in public.
ltorocort
October 25th, 2012 at 15:47
I like your post. Its very informational. Yeah i have heard that in china the education is very strict, i think i would not be able to even last a week in the schools over there…
arielllll
October 26th, 2012 at 00:10
jajajaja~~(I got it from your facebook^^)
once you adjust to it, you will accept it.╮(╯▽╰)╭
ltorocort
November 6th, 2012 at 03:00
hahah nice… true that