The Chinese System of Education

The educational experience for the average Chinese student is rigorous and harsh. Many are boarded permanently at their schools from the time they enter junior high. Due to the lack of quality and quantity of facilities, children are often placed at schools in other provinces far away from their homes. Education is compulsory and “funded” in China. However, it is not a right as thought of in the USA. There are usually exorbitant costs involved to attend a “quality” school. The pressure to succeed is tremendous on the children for two reasons, 1) The financial investments that families make in the child’s education and 2) The level of competition in all professions in China.

The students of China attend school 6 days per week for 12 hours per day. The average child is in the classroom from 7:00 AM to 7:00 pm. Sundays are neither for rest nor play. The students must study to prepare for the week ahead. The summer break lasts from July 1 to September 1 and most students are involved in specialized tutoring during this period. The educational system is rigid and the teachers are authoritarian. All students are required to take the same curriculum. There are no choices or electives in the process for the most part. If a child is poor in mathematics or literary pursuits, they are at a tremendous disadvantage. To be successful in the system, the child must excel in all areas. The Chinese system is greatly accelerated compared to the US educational system. Children from China are generally as accomplished in math and science by the eighth grade as the average American student is by his or her senior year in high school.

The testing system throughout the process is designed to weed out the less capable. It is impossible to describe the level of pressure that the children are under. To perform poorly on year end exams, and especially in the senior year, can doom a child to an “average” or poor college, an average life. Due to one poor test result, the child’s life can be deemed to have gone from one of unlimited potential to one of struggle in a matter of hours. In short, the Chinese mindset and system does not allow for failure in this area.

According to the renowned French obstetrician, Michel Odent, there are over a quarter of a million suicide deaths per year in China. The important point is that the toll is particularly high among teenagers and young adults. It is estimated that one-third of the students have suffered symptoms of severe depression, with 16% admitting to suicide ideation and 9% actually having attempted suicide. For an outsider viewing these statistics the question is “Why?” For those who understand the realities of the educational system and the pressures on children to succeed, the answer is obvious. Failure is not an option.

We hope to offer some degree of relief from these pressures to the very fortunate students that you will teach. The Chinese students are well schooled in English grammar and literature. Their problem lies in the area of communication. By venturing to China and teaching conversational English, you will be giving a Chinese child a true chance to use what they have learned. Also, you will provide a much needed and interesting distraction from the rigors of their normal class schedule and expectations. Foreign teachers in China know this feeling well. A strong foreign teacher can make a huge difference in the life of a Chinese student. Keep it light and be flexible. Help the children to learn to talk to you. It's as simple as that.