DAY28 - Differences Between Chinese & American Education

Passage 28

What are the main differences between the Chinese and American approach to education?

 

The Chinese and American education systems have different aims.

Many parents and educators view Chinese education as being important for foundation, and American education as being helpful for the cultivation of students' creativity.

 

Chinese education focuses on the accumulation of knowledge, on how students manage and use the knowledge they learned in school, and on understanding of knowledge systems and structures.

 

Americans are interested in how students use their knowledge in society.

The American system lets students criticize ideas, and challenge as well as create concepts.

 

The ways that American and Chinese students receive knowledge are also different.

When they are doing homework, Chinese students just take notes and memorize the facts in textbooks.

 

American teachers also assess students'creativity, leadership, and cooperation skills.

Emphasizing these skills encourages American students to take part in extracurricular activities.

They believe that education is a part of life, not just part of school.