
Education and its importance in Asian countries.
The word “Asia” means “East” in Greek. Asia is divided into two parts; East Asia and West Asia. East Asia includes Japan, China, Korea, Mongolia, Russia, North Korea, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia etc. West Asia includes Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives etc.
Most Asians live in cities, while many Westerners live in rural areas. In general, people in urban areas have higher standards of living than those in rural areas. However, some countries have high levels of poverty even in the city.
History Of Asian Education
In ancient times, most people lived in villages and towns rather than cities. As time went on, people started moving to larger cities. Cities were built and expanded over thousands of years. Many different cultures developed in these cities. These cultures included Chinese culture, Japanese culture, Indian culture, Korean culture, etc.
As time passed, the first universities began to open in Europe. At first, they were primarily teaching languages and literature. Later, students studied science, philosophy, math, medicine, engineering, law, and business. Universities became centers of learning where students could study whatever interests them.
However, not everyone had access to a university. Most people learned at home or in schools. Schools taught subjects such as reading, writing, arithmetic, history, geography, religion, art, music, and physical education. Students learned about their country’s government, economy, politics, society, and culture.
Major Differences Between Eastern And Western Education
Eastern and Western education differ greatly. People in eastern nations tend to value discipline, respect, hard work, and obedience. Students learn how to follow rules and regulations. Teachers teach students what to think and how to behave. Students spend hours studying before tests and homework assignments.
Western nations focus much more on creativity, freedom, individuality, and self-expression. Students learn how to think critically, question authority, challenge ideas, express themselves, and use logic. Teachers encourage students to show off their talents and skills.
Education System in Asia
The quality of education in Asia is closely linked to economic prosperity. According to the Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016, the average cost of a university degree in the region was approximately $10,000 US dollars. This figure includes tuition costs, housing expenses, food, and transportation. If the student is unable to afford these costs, they may not continue their studies. Additionally, if the student does not complete their studies, the country will lose its investment in human capital.
- Educational system in Japan
Japan has a well-developed academic system, ranking second globally in terms of number of international students enrolled. Tokyo University of Science is known for its research in medicine, agriculture, and engineering. Other universities in Japan include Kyoto University, Waseda University, and Keio University.
- Educational system in South Korea
South Korea’s educational system is ranked third worldwide in terms of academic achievement. Seoul National University is regarded as one of the best schools in the world, and is home to Nobel Prize winners. Other educational institutions include Yonsei University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Ewha Woman’s University.
- Educational system in Singapore
Singapore’s government places great emphasis on education. Students begin studying early in their lives and spend the majority of their time in school. Schools are free, and parents pay a small fee to send their children to private schools. Primary and secondary schooling lasts for nine years. Junior college graduates receive two years of additional training before entering college. To become a doctor takes five years of study. There are six public universities in Singapore, and each receives about 50,000 applicants annually.
- Educational system in Malaysia
Malaysia provides comprehensive educational opportunities for its citizens. This includes primary, junior high, senior high, and vocational training. About 85% of Malaysian adults are literate, and nearly half of those who cannot read or write are functionally illiterate. Universities in Malaysia include Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and Universiti Putra Malaysia.
- Educational system in Indonesia
Indonesians start formal education at age 5. Most people attend primary school until grade 12, though some choose to pursue further education at community colleges. Secondary schools offer courses ranging from science to business administration. Higher education is offered at various levels including undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. Indonesian universities include Gadjah Mada University, Muhammadiyah University, and Padjadjaran University.
Facts of Education in Asian countries
- In Japan, they have a saying “the best way to learn anything is to teach it”.
- Asians tend to think about learning something before doing it.
- In Korea, people don’t read books; they listen to them.
- In Vietnam, students spend about 8 hours watching TV each day.
- When Asians ask questions, they look at the person’s eyes rather than their mouth.
- Asians live longer than Americans, who live longer than Europeans.
- Asians believe that education should not end until after death.
- People in Asia eat vegetables as snacks, not as meals.
- Japanese people are considered to be polite and quiet.
- An Asian student always studies with his/her head down.
- In China, students spend less time studying and more time playing video games.
- According to Chinese tradition, children should start school between the ages of 6-7.
Language in Asian countries
- China
There are many schools teaching English in China. However, they are not always accredited and have no standardized curriculum. Many students learn English while studying at university. If you want to find jobs in China, you need to speak fluent Chinese and English.
- India
In India, there are many schools teaching Hindi. You don’t necessarily need to know any other languages. In fact, if you know Hindi, you’ll probably pick up Urdu faster than if you don’t. Also, it’s easier to get a job if you can understand what people are saying around you.
- Japan
The Japanese language is similar to Mandarin Chinese. There are many universities offering courses in both Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. You should be able to pick up some basic phrases from watching Japanese TV shows or movies.
- Korea
Korean is similar to Japanese, but there are many dialects. I’m guessing that since there are so many different dialects, the best way to learn would be to watch Korean TV/movies and listen to Korean music.
- Thailand
Thai is a little difficult to learn. But once you’ve learned enough vocabulary and grammar, you might be able to communicate with locals. Watch videos online, read books, talk to native speakers, etc.
- Vietnam
Vietnamese is slightly different from Thai. Learn how to count, write numbers, and use pronouns. It may take longer to become proficient, but once you do, you’ll be able to communicate much better.
- Indonesia
Indonesian is similar to Malay, although with fewer syllables. Learning this language could help you in Malaysia, Singapore, and even Australia.
Why Asian Education is Better?
Asian Education Is Better Than American Education Because In Asia, Students Are More Studious And Educated About Their Future Career Paths.
In America, students are taught how to pass tests and get good grades. But in Asia, they’re taught to have a goal in mind and work hard towards attaining their goals. They learn about what they want to do for the rest of their lives.
Asian people study harder than Americans. They spend more time studying and learning. When you go to school in Asia, you’ll notice that the teachers teach a lot more material than we do back home. That’s because if a teacher teaches less material, then he could teach more classes. If he teaches more classes, then he would have to teach less material. Most Asian students don’t even know what they want to do after college, much less graduate high school. They just keep working towards doing well in school.
Americans tend not to care about what they want to become. We only think about what we want to achieve right now. If we achieved our current goals, we’ll move onto our next step. Asians, however, realize that it takes time to accomplish certain things. They work towards attaining their goals while still being able to enjoy life.
Asian people are more intelligent than Americans. In America, it’s a big deal to get straight A’s. You’re expected to earn As regardless of whether you studied or not. Asian people, however, aren’t held accountable for getting straight B’s. They’re expected to get B’s because they haven’t been focusing enough on their studies. However, because they’ve been studying, they should be able to pull off at least a C.
American education focuses on preparing kids for the workforce. In Asia, the focus is on preparing them for their future career. Schools in Asia are designed around teaching students skills that they need to use in their job market.
The Japanese education system is based on the German education system. The Germans focused on training students for specific careers instead of preparing them for the workforce. So, Asians tend to be smarter than us.
Conclusion
Asian education is not only about learning how to read and write, but also about developing critical thinking skills. In order to do this, students need to be exposed to different cultures and backgrounds. As they become more familiarized with these things, their worldview changes and they begin to question what they were taught before.