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| Educational
System questions |
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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.
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