Education Style: Asian VS Western
6 5/13/2014Cultural differences affect local teaching and learning styles. This is very true with Asian and western cultures, where educational practices and strategies seem to be in contrast with each other. Although both cultures view education as an important vehicle towards success, each has its own views on how educational goals could be achieved.
Here are some of the contrasting views of both worlds about teaching and learning. To Asians, teachers are revered at all times. Children would readily follow their teachers’ orders and would seldom disagree with what teachers say. In some schools in remote areas, smart students would never dare to correct their teacher’s errors in spelling, grammar, or pronunciation. Hence, children in rural areas that are seldom visited and monitored by higher educational authorities have to be contented with poor quality education. In contrast, children in Western countries are outspoken and they are not afraid to express their thoughts and opinions. In western schools, teachers are given due respect but they are not revered. Students are more open with their criticisms and a teacher who comes to school unprepared will not be able to hold his students’ attention and respect.