How to Make Sense of China’s Education System

Recently, I finished a book by Yong Zhao called, Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon? Why China Has the Best (and Worst) Education System in the World. 

The book was extremely enlightening since it provided quite an informative background on Chinese history and the depth of its appalling effects on global education, the Chinese education system, and its individual students. 

Before reading Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon?, I had somewhat of an understanding of the current Chinese education system, which allowed me to empathize with my students who endure hours of lectures, homework, and demands everyday. Seeing that I am nearing the end of my sixth year of teaching in China, I can say firsthand that I’m not surprised at all of what Yong Zhao says cover to cover. The accuracy behind the Chinese system’s foundations and layers is what keeps me up some nights. These periods of time aren’t due simply to the extremity of the present situation but also how to go about inventing educational models that will meet the students’ needs for the future, initiating that dialogue, and taking steps to move forward together. 

Yong Zhao imparted a great depth of understanding throughout in regards to…

-Why do students/people in China tend to copy each other or others’ original ideas?

-Why do students have, in the eyes of a foreign English teacher, a propensity to copy each other’s homework or plagiarize?

-Why do local teachers in China not speak up more or express the need for change/reforms?

-Where does this base idea of not sincerely following the rules/educational mandates derive from?

-Why do countries from around the world want to imitate China’s education system?

-and so much more…

I would recommend this book for anyone involved in global education, teaching in China, or wanting to start an education revolution. 

(P.S. - In the future, I plan to mull over more on these topics and others related since there was a study guide, with questions for every chapter, that came with the book.)

5 out of 5 Stars to Finding Your Element by Sir Ken Robinson

Everybody needs to read this book. Why? Because there are people who are: doing things they actually aren't good at, pushing through the daily grind without any passion for what they do, or regretting at the end of their lives that they should have done what they truly loved. As a teacher, I believe this can be prevented in future generations by educators who are willing to push the envelope with their students, colleagues and community.

Utilizing one's talents and passions for something bigger than yourself will certainly transform your life; there's no doubt about that. In order to discover those, you need to examine yourself deeper and in ways never done before. With Sir Ken Robinson's Finding Your Element, you can do just that. Every chapter has stories, exercises and questions that will make you see the bigger picture of your life as well as the details concerning your past experiences, current situations and future opportunities.

The main focus of your Element is that it benefit the world we live in and that it be done by you. No one else. Why? There's only one you with your heart and your mind. Therefore, unearth your Element(s).

4 out of 5 Stars to The Element by Sir Ken Robinson

After watching his 2006 Ted talk on how schools kill creativity, Sir Ken Robinson has had my attention in many ways. 

His processing and combination of data and experiences touched with more than a hint of inspiration will lead one to think there are ways to use our natural gifts in ways we love and want to for the world to be a better place. The downfall of the book comes in its lack of application. With a lack of knowing how to apply what is passed on comes quite an assortment of unanswered questions. And when questions are left unanswered, the search for one's element can be difficult. 

Being a teacher, I also found Robinson's take on education on point. This book has challenged me to let my students learn and create more outside of the Chinese education system box. Why should I take a pencil away from a "fidgety" boy when he could become the greatest artist of his time (and learn EFL at the same time)? 

P.S.- Taking notes while reading a book, even if it's an e-book, is truly one of many awesome hacks for reading.