Educational System questions
1. Briefly describe and reflect on the educational system of Japan and Singapore.
A link with the US/Canada system will be most productive
Basically, educational system of Japan and Singapore are to a certain extent
similar to American one, but, nonetheless, both countries have some distinguishable
features that make it possible to speak certain advantages of their educational
system compared to American one. First of all, it should be said that secondary
education is compulsory in both countries, though in Japan students begin their
education from elementary school and then proceed it in lower-secondary school,
while upper-secondary schools is not compulsory. As for Singapore, after six
years of primary education students enter secondary school where they study
for four-five years after which they can either proceed their post-secondary
education or training.
It should be pointed out that Japanese is a homogeneous country where ethnic
minorities do not exceed 1%, consequently, cultural background and mentality
of students and teachers is quite homogeneous too. Instead, Singapore rather
resembles the US, but unlike American educational system, Singaporean one uses
a different approach using Multilanguage schools that obviously contributes
to the better integration of representatives of different ethnic groups who
have defined quotas in schools and apartments.
Remarkably, all students in Japan and Singapore wear uniform that is basically
motivated by the local mentality and the promotion of obedience and unity of
community, while in the US individualism is prior.
It is also worthy of mention that Japanese schools do not use external examination
typical for American schools, instead they use internal examination. In general,
the views on Japanese teachers and their methods vary from demand of rote learning
and conformity to the shift of the role of teacher to instructing students.
In this respect, it is worthy of mention that in Singapore, teachers widely
use illustrations, at least, more often than in American schools.
By the way, Japanese students also have an opportunity to attend after school
classes which can be either enrichment classes in such arras as music, art,
etc. or supplementary classes in academic subjects.
Finally, both Japanese and Singaporean students are more successful in maths
than American ones because of a different needs and mentality of local community.
At the same time, it is quite noteworthy that Singapore educational system have
developed an effective model of cooperation of education, state, and industries
that helps better prepare students for their future professional life.
2. What education system does South Africa face?
Speaking about educational system of South Africa, it should be said that the
major challenge it is currently facing is inequality. The problem is that in
the result of the policy of apartheid white and non-white students are still
in absolutely different position. If white students, as a rule, can benefit
from modern education and study in the best schools, then non-white children
often lack such opportunity. It should be said that one of the challenges that
contributes to inequality is the language since English schools provide better
quality of education than Afrikaaners schools. Furthermore, non-white students
has basically three options either receive education in their families, in community
or attend mode schools. The latter are not accessible for all students because
of their remoteness so that students cannot attend schools regularly.
Finally, South African schools face the problem of financing and many Africaaners
schools are not well equipped with computers and other essential equipment and
materials.
3. Teaching abroad
Teaching abroad primarily implies the profound knowledge of the local culture
and traditions. This is why it is primarily necessary to receive information
concerning traditions, habits, and mentality of local population in order to
be able to choose the most effective methods of teaching. Also, it is important
to know how teachers who have such experience overcome possible language barriers.
Finally, it is necessary to find out the most effective ways of adaptation to
the local lifestyle which may differ from the one I get used to.
Bibliography:
1. Educational Systems.
