Ask a QuestionSpeaking of the difference between Chinese and western education, there is no doubt that each system has its own characteristics. From the following comparison, we’re going to begin our discussion from some representative aspects, including the emphasis, working style, way of learning, assessment, extra curricular and family education. Continue reading and share your ideas with Top China Travel.
Rote learning plays an important role in Chinese education system, with the distinctive emphasis on memorization. For most subjects, usually the teachers will give lectures and ask the students to write down the notes, sometimes the students have to recite the words and texts after class. Speaking of homework, copying new words is more common for Chinese and English classes, rather than practical activity. And this is the reason why Chinese students learn English for many years but have problem in the real communication.
Problem solving and case study are often involved in western schools, instead of note-taking and repetition. Western classes offer more room for discussion and practice, so that they could apply what they’ve learned to real situation, rather than on the paperwork. The western teaching method is way more innovative,
Chinese students are good at group working, and it has a lot to do with the traditional Chinese culture of collectivism. Under the Chinese education system, students are collective-oriented, and tend to work hard and give back to the family and society in the future. For group work, the success of the group is more important than individual achievements.
In western education, independent thinking is highly valued, even when it comes to group work. Students are encouraged to be more creative, so they have more opportunities to express themselves. Meanwhile, western students are expected to get each of them involved in the learning process, and make progress together.
When mentioning the way of learning, the most obvious characteristic of Chinese education must be the teacher-guided learning style among most Chinese schools. It’s a rude way to disagree with teachers, or challenge them. In recent years, even though student-oriented method is suggested, the class is still led by the teacher.
Chinese Class
Way of learning in the western schools is just on the contrary. Discussion is more common than lecture from the teacher, and students are encouraged to challenge the teacher if they have different opinions. The class is not driven by the teacher, but the student.
Assessment in Chinese schools is all about exams. Believe or not, grade is the most effective way to assess a student’s performance at school, according to the Chinese education system. No matter teachers, parents or students, exam score is their biggest concern, because only if the students get good scores, they could go to an ideal university and have a brighter future.
But in western education, test score and coursework mark are both valued. When it comes to university entrance, there are other requirements, rather than exam score only, which is really different from the college entrance examination in China (“Gaokao”).
Chinese students work really hard for a good test result, they start learning in the early morning and finish late at night. A lot of students in China take extracurricular classes after school hour, or during weekends and vacations, mostly for boosting the test performance. Some students begin to take extracurricular classes as long as they go to primary school, and continue to high school. In these years, more and more students take extracurricular classes like music, dancing and plenty more activities, for a all-round development.
Unlike the main point of extracurricular class, students in western countries who really struggle the test will take extra class. For others, they take part in classes and activities based on their interests.
Family education in China is restrained. Parents always ask their children to focus on the study, and they expect their children to get good test scores. It seems like study is the most important thing for students, no matter at school or at home. In addition, some Chinese parents seldom give compliments to their children, because they believe that their kids will do better by this way.
Western parents prefer an encouraging way, they appraise their children way more frequently than Chinese parents. And test score won’t be their biggest concern.
Both Chinese education system and western education system have advantages and disadvantages, which may shape different personalities of the students. The biggest reason is the cultural differences between Chinese and western countries, so that we should know that the most important point is to learn from one side to the other.
If you want to know more about the difference between Chinese and western education, come to China and experience by yourself. Just let us know all your requirements, we will customize an the most suitable tour for you. See our sample tours if you have interests.
Learn Chinese Calligraphy with Your Kids
Know more family tours in China if you’re traveling with your kids. You can also join some cultural classes during your China tour, which will be educational and meaningful for your family.
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