Chinese Educational Culture Vs. American Schools

1. Chinese Educational Culture Vs. American Schools • This presentation will show you many differences between the Chinese school system vs. the American Schools system and then give you a lot of information about the Chinese schools!

3. History of Chinese Education • Formal education has been traced back to the 16th century in the later Shang Dynasty (1523-1027 BC) • In the beginning of the education, it was centered along the “Six Arts”: Rites, music, Archery, Chariot-Riding, History, and math. • Shortly after, during the teaching of Confucius, during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States, education gave way to the “Four Books and The Five Classics;” These teachings outlined the principles of society and government, the codes for personal conduct, and collectively defined the Confucian philosophy. • In 1949, the communist power began to take over China.

4. History of Chinese Education • Following the Opium War, Western education began to take over China’s educational system. This happened mostly by the help of Christian Missionaries. Many Chinese people saw this movement as humiliation, some liberalists saw the movement as an opportunity to form a balanced approach to education. Confucian ideas would continue to flourish with the help of Western Technology. • In 1905, a series of reform measures were issued by the Qing Dynasty. This reform measure called for a modern system of primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of educations. These were based on Western systems. • In 1911, the Qing dynasty was overthrown. A republican form of government was formed. There were already European, American, and Japanese models of education in China.

5. History of Chinese Education • Between 1949-1966, the Soviet model was established into the Chinese educational system. This happened shortly after the liberation of the communists in China. • In 1956, it was found that less than one-half of primary and secondary aged children were in school. • Later on, regularization in the schools was re-established. Academic standards began to place and emphasis on the quality of education rather than the quantity at all levels. In most cases, the system of six years of primary education, three years junior secondary and three years secondary education was re-established.

6. Chinese Pre-schools Children ages 3-6 attend kindergarten in their neighborhoods Children learn the basics of the Chinese language, the Values of Truth, Beauty, and Kindness, they play games, act, sing, have P.E., learn environment identification, drawing, handwriting, music, calculations and lessons in daily life. Many of these lessons are based on the child’s age. American Pre-Schools There are pre-schools and nursery schools that children attend between birth and 4 years old. Children attend kindergarten around 5-6 years old. Children learn the alphabet, colors, and basic math such as counting and numbers. Chinese vs. American Pre-schools

7. Chinese Primary School vs. American Elementary School Chinese Primary School: Primary School usually lasts for six years Primary education includes: English, Pottery, dance, drama, calligraphy, Some classrooms have the smell of incense and classical music playing to enhance a creative environment. Students usually learn Chinese language, math, and moral education. Foreign language is optional for primary students grades 4-6 Students sometimes start the day with fifteen minutes of exercise on the playground. Some class sizes are up to 50 students.

8. Chinese Primary School vs. American Elementary School • American Primary schools: • Students do not choose a structure and often remain in one or two classrooms throughout the day with one teacher. • Classroom sizes are between 20 and 30 students. • The state decides what students learn in schools in America, but in China there is a National College Entrance Exam that dictates what children are to learn in China. • In primary grades, students usually learn: math, simple algebra, English grammar, spelling, and vocabulary. Science and Social Studies are taught too. • Students also take P.E., art. And music.

9. Chinese Middle Schools • Chinese middle schools consist of two parts: Jr. middle school and Sr. middle School, each lasts three years • Jr. Middle School is a continuation of Primary School and teaches: sciences including: chemistry, physics, and biology; history, geography, foreign language and P.E. • Sr. Middle school is like the American High School • In Sr. Middle school, students choose a “major” of humanities or sciences. Students take classes according to which major that choose. They have to pass a National Exam at the end of Middle school. • In China Students learn: Chinese, math, foreign languages, political sciences, history including China’s and other places, geography, sciences including: physical, chemistry, and biology; physical culture, music, fine arts, physiology, and work skills. • Some students learn to be farmers or technicians in technical schools.

10. American Middle and High Schools • Students usually change classrooms and teacher beginning in middle school. • Students become more responsible for their own education. • Middle school prepares students to go on to high school • Students take science, math, social studies, reading and technology, P.E. is usually mandatory in primary through 9th grade • Foreign languages offered in American Schools include: French and Spanish (most popular) and German, Chinese, Latin, Greek, and Japanese (less common). • In high school students choose electives which include: • Visual arts • Performing arts • Technology • Computers • Athletics • Publishing • And foreign languages

11. Chinese School Culture • In the rest of this presentation you will learn of different Chinese school cultures including the length of day, the foods they eat, their dress code, the values students are taught in school, the languages spoken in China, and fun facts about the Chinese School System!

12. Length of School Day • Chinese Middle School • Classes start at 8:00 am • There is usually a two hour lunch break because students go home for lunch • They return at 2:00 and stay until 5:00 • They go home again at 5:00 and students return to school at 7:00 • Students stay at school until 8:00-8:30 pm but seniors stay until 9:00-9:30! • American Middle-High School • School usually lasts 6 hours starting around 8:00 am and lasting until 2:00 pm • Many students stay at school for extra curricular activates and tutoring • Some students have JOBS! • Many students go home and watch TV or play video games • In primary school, many go to daycare. • Why the difference in the length of day? • Students usually stay at school longer to study! • Schools accommodate students to help them study and do homework • In America, most students have a quiet place to go and do homework, but China is densely populated and there are not a lot of quiet places for students to study, so schools stay open for them. • Fun Facts: • Some schools stay open as late as 11:00 pm!

13. Length of School Year Chinese Primary Schools have two semesters with one week “in reserve” sort of like winter break in America. There are 13 weeks throughout the year that are for vacations and holidays. The school year is 39 weeks long. Chinese Middle Schools are set up differently. Jr. Middle School has 39 weeks of school in two semester. Jr. Middle school has one week “in reserve” Sr. Middle school has 40 weeks in two semesters and two weeks “in reserve.” American Schools attend school six hours a day and usually have 175-185 days of school in a year. Most schools have summer break for 2 1/2 months between June and August.

14. Food Served in China • Traditional foods served in China include: Rice, Fish, Chicken, Soup, Vegetables • American lunches usually have a protein rich food, veggies, bread, milk, and fruit.

15. Chinese Dress Code Pants or skirts: Plain khaki or black pants/skirts NO jeans, shorts, or cargo pants Pants and jeans fit at waistline Skirts must be two inches about knee or longer! Skirts cannot have any slits or opening Jewelry Shirts Plain white or school colored polo's Long or short sleeves School t-shirts, sweatshirts, or sweaters Plain white long-sleeved shirts or turtlenecks under shirts All shirts must be of appropriate size Jewelry: Gold or silver jewelry NO dog tags! NO Pendants larger than a quarter Belts: Plain brown, black or khaki belts with buckles no wider than belt No lettering, sayings, or pictures! Shoes and socks All shoes must have closed toes and heels Any colored tennis shoe with matching laces of appropriate size Dark soft soled shoes only! NO HEELS! Plain white socks with white shoes Dark socks with dark shoes

16. Chinese Values Taught to Children • There are five necessities in the Chinese Culture: • Food • Clothing • Housing • Transportation • Education • In China there is a value system that includes eight Honors and Disgraces: • Love the country; do it no harm • Serve the people; never betray them • Follow science; discard superstition • Be diligent; not indolent • Be united; help each other; make no gains at others expense • Be honest and trustworthy; do not sacrifice ethics for profit • Be disciplined and law-abiding; not chaotic and lawless • Live plainly; do not wallow in luxuries and pleasures

17. Languages spoken in China • There are seven main languages in China! • Mandrin • Wu • Cantonese • Min • Hakka • Xiang • Gan • Fun Facts: • When you take in consideration different dialects there are between seven and seventeen languages spoken in China • The English language is taught from the age of six in China. English can also be taken as a foreign language in Jr. Middle School!

18. Chinese Numbers • Number Chinese Pronunciation • 1 one yee • 2 two uhr • 3 three sahn • 4 four suh • 5 five woo • 6 six lyo • 7 seven chee • 8 eight bah • 9 nine jyo • 10 ten shi

19. Chinese Stereotypes • There are common false stereotypes and misconceptions about the Overseas Chinese that deserve to be corrected: • 1. They are one big family that extends from Mainland China across the world. • 2. They are naturally business-minded. • 3. They are cutthroat and unscrupulous in business. • 4. They are clannish and communally closed to the outside world. • 5. Their primary loyalties are to a foreign or native China. • 6. They are all involved in secret societies that perpetuate the vices of gambling, drugs and prostitution. • 7. They are a-political, only interested in making money. • 8. They are all immersed in an intricate web of "networks" and connections by which they achieve unfair advantages in business. • 9. Most Chinese achieve upward or downward mobility within a single generation. • 10. All Chinese are urban dwelling merchant-middlemen who tend to cluster in Chinatowns.

20. Stereotypes cont’d • Other Chinese stereotypes include that they are have dark hair, slanted eyes, and are short and skinny. • Chinese/Asian characters have mostly been portrayed as Chinatown gangsters, Kung Fu fighters or forever-smiling servant types, no intelligence, no dignity.

21. Fun Facts! • While American schools are focusing on standardizing reading, writing, and math. China is trying to stress more creative thinking and control! • In the past, Chinese education focused on rote memorization. Today, teachers jobs are to promote, cooperate, and guide. China tries to emphasize hands-on experiences. This is so because Chinese students have all the knowledge they need, but they do not have the communication skills they need to compete in today’s society. • Many schools stay open until 11:00pm! • Schools try to create a powerful sense of community in the school! • Students double as janitors! They sweep and clean the school everyday! • Many Sr. Middle school students take over the lectures in math class! • In some American Schools, students are allowed to leave school at 16 years old. In China, students stay until they are 18 because the age that people are allowed to have jobs is 18!

22. Questions • 1. What is one thing that you thought was interesting about Chinese Schools? • 2. Describe two of the eight values that Chinese Students are taught in school and compare them to values that you have. • 3. Go to http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/china.shtml and read about a Chinese Inventor. Write one paragraph describing one invention and how it is used today in America. • 4. Why are Chinese schools trying to stress more creativity in their classrooms? • 5. List five things that are necessities in your life, compare them to the five necessities in Chinese people’s lives. • 6. Compare Chinese Schools to your school, use a Venn Diagram.

23. Activities • Practice Writing Chinese numbers • http://www.enchantedlearning.com/school/China/numbers/Writenumbers.shtml • Make a Chinese Calendar • http://www.enchantedlearning.com/books/holiday/chinesenewyear/info// • Practice eating noodles with chopsticks • Pretend that you are attending a Chinese Middle school, write a narrative story describing the events of your day.

24. Bibliography • Baker, Linda. (2004). Chinese Schools Get Creative. • http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0120/p14s01-legn.html. (this website tells about how China’s schools are reforming toward creativity instead of rote memorization) • Chinatown Connection. (2007).History of Chinese Education, Five Necessities of Chinese Culture. http://www.chinatownconnection.com/chinese_education.htm. (this website tells about the Chinese necessities for living) • English Plus. (2000). A Month in a Chinese High School. • http://englishplus.com/news/news0700.htm. (this is a personal journal of a woman that spent a month in China and told of her experience) • Nicholls, Mark. (2007). Friendship Is The Dish Of The Day. • http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/features/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=Features&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=Features&itemid=NOED28%20Jan%202007%2014:08:32:267 (this website told about the foods that Chinese studetns eat for lunch) • Sina Corporation. (2006). CPC Promotes "Core Value System" to Lay Moral • Foundation for Social Harmony.http://english.sina.com/china/1/2006/1018/92262.html. (this website tells about the values that Chinese children are taught in school)

25. Bibliography • Surowski, David B. History of the Educational System of China. • http://www.math.ksu.edu/~dbski/publication/history.html. (this website has the history of Chin’s educational system) • Unknown. (2000). Education. • http://www.index-china.com/index-english/educations.htm. (this website gives pertinent information about each level of Chin’s edcuation system) • Unknown. Overview of the Educational System of China. • http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~dbski/publication/overview. (this website gives pertinent information about China’s education system) • Unknown. Basic Education. http://www.tiglion.net/china/gen_info/educate/basic.htm (this website gives pertinent information about each level of China’s education system) • Unknown. The American School System. • http://www.rzuser.uniheidelberg.de/~el6/presentations/pres_c2_uss/TheAmericanSchoolSystem.htm (this website gives pertinant information about American educational system) • Wikipedia. (2007). Chinese Language. • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States. (This website tells about the different languages spoken in China) • Wikipedia. (2007). Education in The United States. • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States. (this website tells about the educational system in the United States)

26. Bibliography • http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-12/10/content_399251.htm (this website has one stereotype of Chinese people on it) • http://www.enchantedlearning.com/themes/china.shtml (this website has activities for children k-3 about China)