the-Cultural-Differences-between-China-and-West-Reflected-from-Education-System.doc

the Cultural Differences between China and West Reflected from Education SystemAbstractThe thesis will has three main aspects to compare the Cultural Differences between China and West Reflected from Education System. First of all, I will introduce the Chinese cultures and in this cultural background, the Chinese Education System. Secondly, I will introduce the western cultures and in this cultural background, the western Education System. Finally, I will make a conclusion on their differences.Key words: Chinese culture; western culture; Differences1. Chinese cultureChinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the cradle of Chinese civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the worlds oldest civilizations. China can be divided into Ancient China , Imperial China, Modern China.The conventional view of Chinese history is that of alternating periods of political unity and disunity, with China occasionally being dominated by steppe peoples, most of whom were in turn assimilated into the Han Chinese population. Cultural and political influences from many parts of Asia, carried by successive waves of immigration, expansion, and cultural assimilation, are part of the modern culture of ChinaChinese culture is one of the worlds oldest cultures. The area in which the culture is dominant covers a large geographical region in eastern Asia with customs and traditions varying greatly between provinces, cities, and even towns. A. Chineses Education SystemBefore Tang Dynasty, our education system is not official, but in Tang Dynasty, the rulers created the KeJu institution. So, since Tang Dynasty, China begin to own the official education system.With the development of China, the education system also be improved.And nowadays, we has a modern education system. Now, let me introduce the new education syetem.In China, the educationis dividedinto three categories: basic education, higher education, and adult education. The Compulsory Education Law of stipulates thateach childhave nine years of formal education.a. Basic EducationBasic education in China includes pre-school education, primary education and regular secondary education.Preschool, or kindergarten, can last up to three years, with children entering as early as age three, until age six, when they typically enter elementary school. The academic year is divided into two semesters.Secondary education is divided into academic secondary education and specialized/vocational/technical secondary education.Academic secondary education is delivered by academic lower and upper middle schools.Lower middle school graduates wishing to continue their education take a locally administered entrance exam, on the basis of which they will have the option either of continuing in an academic upper middle school or of entering a vocational secondary school. Vocational schools offer programs ranging from two to four years and train medium-level skilled workers, farmers, and managerial and technical personnel. Technical schools typically offer four-years programs to train intermediate technical personnel. “Schools for Skilled Workers” typically train junior middle school graduates for positions requiring production and operation skills. The length of training is typically three year.b. Higher EducationHigher education at the undergraduate level includes two-and three-year junior colleges(sometimes also called short-cycle colleges, four-year colleges, and universities offering programs in both academic and vocational subjects. Many colleges and universities also offer graduate programs leading to the masters or Ph.D. degree.Chinese higher education at the undergraduate level is divided into three-year and four-year programs. The formeris offered not only at short-cycle colleges, but frequently also at four-year colleges and universities. The latter isoffered at four-year colleges and universities but do not always lead to the bachelors degree.Myriad higher education opportunities also fall under the general category of adult education.c. Adult EducationThe adult education category overlaps all three of the above categories. Adult primary education includes Workers Primary Schools, Peasants Primary Schools, and literacy classes. Adult secondary education includes radio/TV specialized secondary schools, specialized secondary school for cadres, specialized secondary schools for staff and workers, specialized secondary schools for peasants, in-service teacher training schools and correspondence specialized secondary schools. Adult higher education includes radio/TV universities, cadre institutes, workers colleges, peasant colleges, correspondence colleges, and educational colleges. Most of the above offer both two- and three-year short-cyclecurricula; only a few also offer regular undergraduate curricula.2. Western culturesWestern culture is a body of knowledge derived from reason. This foundation of reason has made possible a vast accumulation of understanding related to reality or nature, including human nature. This understanding is represented in several core ideals and values, which include individualism, happiness, rights, capitalism, science and technology. Western culture can also be referred to as advanced culture; this is because its ideas and values promote the development and sustainment of advanced civilization. Western culture began in Ancient Greece. There and in the Roman civilization it developed until the start of the Middle Ages when it largely vanished from Europe. During the Middle Ages, Western culture resided, instead, in the Arab / Persian world to a modest degree.Then the rediscovery of Western culture in Europe in the Late Middle Ages prompted the Renaissance. Western cultures continuing development then led to the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, the American Revolution, the Industrial Revolution and to what is considered today as modern civilization.Western culture currently dominates in many Western and Central European nations and several nations settled by Europeans and their descendants. Western culture also significantly exists in many Asian nations, such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore, and it is increasingly influential in India and China. It has only a modest presence in most of the rest of Asia as well as Latin America and Eastern Europe. In much of both Africa and the Middle East, Western culture currently has little meaningful presence.Since Western culture is based on objective reality and universal human nature, it is open to everyone, transcending both geography and race. In other words, Western culture is humanitys culture. B. Westerns Education SystemIn this part, I choose The American Education System to introduce.a. OverviewStudents begin higher education in America after completing 12 years of primary and secondary school, usually at the age of 18. Institutions of higher education include vocational and technical schools, two-year colleges (also known as community colleges), four-year colleges, universities, and professional schools such as law, medical, and pharmacy schools. The size of American schools varies greatly, too, from colleges that enroll fewer than 1,000 students to large universities that enroll more than 50,000 students.b. Academic PreparationSome universities are competitive, selecting only those students with excellent grades and test scores. A majority of schools in America require some demonstration that you have succeeded in your previous schooling and that you have the potential to succeed at a more advanced level. Be realistic about your academic record and test scores, and apply to universities with requirements that match your academic background and interests.c. Colleges vs. UniversitiesThe terms college and university are used interchangeably. Differences do exist; a college awards bachelors degrees mainly, while universities also award masters and doctoral degrees. Colleges are generally smaller, as well. If a small school has the program youre interested in, or if you think youd be more comfortable there, then that may be the right choice for you.On the other hand, larger universities have a wider selection of programs and may be able to provide you with services that a smaller school cannot. The best school is the one thats right for you.The American education system may differ from what youre accustomed to in your native country. The types of exams administered, the academic calendar, and the grading system may seem unusual to you at first. Make an effort to understand the education system, and your transition to academic life will be more comfortable and less overwhelming.d. Academic CalendarsA majority of American universities operate under the semester systemapproximately 15 weeks of class. Classes and exams occur during two separate semesters. Generally, fall semester begins in late August and ends in mid-December. The spring semester begins in early January and ends in early May. Some institutions of higher education in America, however, use a quarter system in which four distinct academic terms each feature ten weeks of classes and a week of final exams.3. conclusionTheres no doubt that a country cultures will influences its education system.With more than 5000 years of history, Chinese cultures is traditional, archaic, with some conservative, or have the feudalism. Actually, the education system in China also has similar features. In addition, it also has its development. On the other hand, the western culture is opening, more creativeness.So, comparatively speaking, the