I can’t help but comment on Nicholas Kristof’s column this week. Read it or if you’d rather not, it’s about how an international study last month showed that China, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea performed the best in math, science and reading. The US came in 15th in reading, 23rd in science and 31st in math.
He goes on to talk about how Confucianism is the winner. It’s a system that praises education and respects teachers as equivalents to doctors, lawyers, and businessmen. I've experienced here as store employees and waiters call you 선생님 (seon-saeng-nim which means “teacher” in Korean) even if you aren’t one as it’s their equivalent to “sir or ma'am.” Teachers and education are important in this culture.
And now having lived and taught in this system for almost 2 years now, I’ve experienced Confucianism first hand. I appreciate how diligent the majority of my students are everyday. I’m amazed by how if I give them a break time, they use it to study. I am continually in awe by the inherent respect they have for me as a teacher whether it’s carrying my computer and supplies to the classroom, cleaning the board and sweeping the classroom floor, bowing and apologizing to me if I’ve disciplined them in class, or giving me gifts for no reason at all. Education is truly “steeped” into the culture as Kristof says and with that comes respect for all involved in the educational system.
However, when tea is steeped too long it becomes quite bitter. And although you may still be getting the necessary nutrients from it, it’s not nearly as satisfying—thus the Confucian education system. After teaching here and immersing myself in this culture, I’ve seen how bitter it can be.
During the last week of school before vacation I asked my students if they had any plans over break. I did not have one student tell me they were going to go on vacation, go to a movie with friends or sleep in (a few said play computer games but that’s about it). The only thing my students said they were going to do was go to academy and study. Really. Study. During school breaks they go to their academies all day. These academies are after school schools that almost ALL Korean students go to and their parents pay big money to send them to. Some are math specific, others specific to English, science, computer programming and some touch on all subjects. During the school year my students attend their respective academies immediately after their regular school day and don’t get home until 10pm. And then, during their break they have to go too? Contrary to my fellow Korean teachers’ reactions, I reacted quite disappointed. I encouraged my students to take a break! Play with your friends! Go skin your knee or something! Spend some time doing something for yourself during your break from school. These poor students never have a chance to be kids!
Kristof also mentioned “Many Chinese complain scathingly that their system kills independent thought and creativity, and they envy the American system for nurturing self-reliance.” Common sense is lost in this “study study study” culture as well. There is no room for experiencing life and making mistakes, therefore, gaining common sense. Both Aaron and I have experienced certain instances when our friends or colleagues are so hooked into the system, that they can’t question something when it’s blatantly wrong or could be done in a better way. Also, there isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t worry about my students who may not get the best test scores but have personalities that are bigger than a metaphorical A+! Everything is black and white, which leaves no room for questioning or thinking about how things could be done differently or how people can have a wide variety of interests and strengths.
In my classes I really try to encourage my students to think critically and creatively. And it’s difficult for them! But, when I hear my students’ minds gingerly stepping outside of their memorized boxes, it’s one of the greatest moments of my day. Yes, I’m American and that’s the educational style I’m used to, but I’ve learned how preciously effective our system is and how we need to appreciate and nurture it much more than we do. Here in East Asia, education is everything, and I think the US really needs to learn something from that. But in the US, education isn’t absolutely everything, and I think East Asia could learn a little something from us too.
