中美大学教育的差异

the Differences of University Education Between

China and American

➢ Introduction

“The American university has been considered as models by the world, although it only has a history of 300 years”,（别敦荣,2012）it has the most excellent universities in the world. Every year tens of thousands of students from all over the world come to American for studying, including a large number of Chinese excellent students. On the contrary, China as an ancient country civilization with over five thousand years, only have several famous universities. This essay aims to study the character of The United States university education and find out the merit of American university. Then take the essence and discard the dregs to improve the quality of our own education.

➢ education

Ⅰ.Comparison between American and Chinese university

1.1 teaching style

In American, almost all teachers like small-class teaching, they believe that it will let all the students have equal chance to join in class discussions. In addition, they can be fully aware of every student’s ability so that they can make appropriate plan for everyone. In class,teachers by asking questions let students

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think and image. No matter how students respond if only they have their own Angle and viewpoint,they are just right. Teachers also encourage students to discuss and raise questions which are the sharper the better.

However in China, students hardly ever participate in class discussions. The teacher tell them everything about the book, and what they should do is to write it down and remember it. There is another unique phenomenon is that the master pay much attention to good students which result in bad students become even worse while good students become even better. Even studens have question, they are too shy to raise their hands. Respectively speaking, American class is lively while Chinese class is very quiet.

1.2 Exam and homework

There is no doubt that exam is the most effective and convenient way to check students’ studying condition. Domestic university only have two exams:the middle and the finnal. Nevertheless, in American,they have many quizzes in a semester.The reason for this is to force students to look up information and study by themselves. Moreover, they have much homework to do while they only have several classes in a week, for the most part, they spend their time in doing homework. By contrast, Chinese students have so much leisure time that they can do everything they like ,such as play computer games, shopping ,playing basketball and so on. Of course there still have many students make every effort to studying.

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To American students, memorizing is necessary, but creativity is the most essential. To get full credit is not a easy thing,and the university will not let them easily to get the diploma.So about a half of them can’t graduate from the university.In China ,most students can get their diploma which don’t need them to pay too much sacrifice.

1.3Target

In American, every university has its reasons to exist, no matter how small it is. And each university knows what their target is. For example, the economic institute of Stanford university has three goals for undergraduate. The first is knowing all kinds of modern social economic phenomenon; the second is mastering the skills of analysing economic problems ;the third is knowing how to evaluate public policy .

There is no doubt the number of universities in China is becoming more and more, but almost no university knows why itself should be established and exist. Just because China has a large population, and only increase the number of the universities can many students go to the university. In addition, “the development of Chinese universities behave a bit impulsive, for example, many universities are seeking for certain “world rankings” but overlook the formal development of themselves.” (Education is a,2012) And most of students choose to go to university is to get a diploma which can help them find a job easily.

➢ Ⅱ. The reasons for the differences mentioned above:

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2.1 Different traditional culture

“Education is a cultural phenomenon, different education response to a different culture. So we can see the cultural difference in the view of college education. “ (Education is a,2012)

From ancient on, Chinese people are always very conservative, which result in they lack of spirit of adventure and innovative consciousness. So, the student in the classroom is not very active. “By contrast, America is a nation of immigrants with a short history. With the influence of multi culture and different values, it is easy for them to be active.” （A Comparative Study,2012）So American classroom are more lively and freedom .

2.3Different social conditions

“By now, social security system and old-age care have not been perfect in China.” （A Comparative Study,2012）And China has a large population and most companies only recruit people who has a diploma of good university and don’t care whether you have ability or not, therefore it’s hard for them to find a job. For this reason, students are studying hard in the high school so that they can be admitted to a good university. When they are in the university, the majority of them believe they don’t need to study hard again for they know they can easily get the diploma. But in American, approximately a half of them can’t get their diplomas. Therefore they have to study hard. Besides there is a prosper development of economy and sane social security system, so there are

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more employment opportunities in American. （A Comparative Study,2012） And people get job by their ability.

➢ Ⅲ. Conclusion

By the text from above, it’s only a general comparative study on university education between America and China. Of course, there is also distinctiveness on it. And compared with Chinese university education, American university education also has its obvious shortage. So the aim of this thesis is not just totally to repudiate Chinese university education or wholly to eulogize American university education. （A Comparative Study,2012）In conclusion, compared with American university education, we still have a lot to learn.

Firstly, we should change our inherent thought, don't too care about right and wrong. “There is quotation to say that, by Mr. Qian, China have not had a creative university. As far as I am concerned, the Cultural differences should not become an excuse to stop the reform of Chinese universities. I believe that we can do better.” (Education is a,2012)

Secondly, teachers should not only teach students how to study, but also teach them how to adapt to the society.

Furthermore, our education system should be made appropriately change. Every university should adjust its direction and position in a timely manner with the social development, so that it keep pace with the time, and successfully

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transform the university into a higher level, Playing a greater role.

If we can take the essence and discard the dregs, I believe one day, China will also have plenty of good universities

References

1、A comparative study on family education in America and China[OL]. [2012-3-24]. http://wenku.baidu.com/view/6ac8ce61783e0912a2162ae3.html.

2、Education is a cultural phenomenon[OL]. [2012-3-24].

http://wenku.baidu.com/view/3c361e2e3169a4517723a36b.html.

3、别敦荣.美国大学定位与个性化发展 [OL]. 高等教育研究.2003(24).

[2012-3-24].http://wenku.baidu.com/view/0bd65a1352d380eb62946db8.html.