Differences in Education and Extracurriculars in the United States compared to China

Western Culture:

In the West, the average teenager is enrolled in several honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes each year, participates in several school related clubs, attends tutoring sessions for school classes or SAT/ACT tests, sports, and an additional extracurricular hobby outside of school. The average child in today’s Western society has a busy schedule, but places emphasis on the need for time to destress, relax, and recharge with family or friends. In Western society, the importance of mental breaks is heavily highlighted to prevent burnout. Students get 2 days off of school weekly, and an additional 10 weeks consecutive off during summer months, as well as holidays. The summer months are typically spent going to recreational or educational camps, or preparing for national exams. The average school day is 6 hours, followed by hours of homework and extracurricular activities. Depending on the classes and activities one is enrolled in, the average teen in the United States sleeps anywhere from 11 pm to 3 am. Students receive a well-rounded education in four core subjects: mathematics, English, social studies, and science, a language class, and several electives that immerse the student in subjects from business to science research, and beyond.

Eastern Culture:

In China, students go to school 6 ½ days a week, with 9.6 hour school days. The average Chinese student gets a 2 hour lunch break, in which the majority of students are able to return home for lunch and take a nap. It is emphasized that the student should not do anything work related during this period of time. In some cases, the student can forfeit their lunch break, but this is typically discouraged. It is highly recommended that the child takes a hiatus away from school related activity to rest and recharge for classes after lunch. Summer break aligns with the United States time frame, from July to August. Normally, Chinese students spend their break attending summer classes or preparing for college entrance exams. The Chinese academic curriculum is composed of Chinese, mathematics, English, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, history, ideology & political science, music, fine arts, physical education, technology, computing, and various vocational subjects. Chinese students peruse textbooks that illustrate China’s unity, past and present accomplishments, and future goals and positions. After school activities consist of completing homework, attending tutoring, taking classes based on interest, surfing the internet, watching television, and sports.

Similarities and Differences:

In the United States, high school is required, with varying ages depending on the state, in which the child is not bound by law to attend schooling or receive education. If the child fails to complete mandated education, the parents of the respective child may be prosecuted or fined. In China, there is a compulsory law of education to mandate at least 9 years of education. Both countries have mandated laws on the minimum years of schooling.

In both China and the United States, classes are typically composed of 30 students.

In China, subjects are learned by practice and repetition. However, new laws are geared at restructuring the curriculum to increase creativity and innovation. In the United States, subjects are learned by memorization, with an increased drive in curriculum for originality and “thinking outside the box.”

Conclusion:

While it is typically assumed that the schedules of Chinese students are synonymous with long hours and hard schedules, the average schedule is not drastically different from a child in the United States. In fact, there are many similarities between the two, and many of the extracurricular activities and classes overlap in content and emphasis on the same aspects of schooling and extracurriculars remain the same.