East and West: process and aspects.

Western and Eastern cultures are known to have several differences. When comparing both
in terms of educational systems, there can be found some marked differences, as well as
similarities.

One marked difference that was spotted was the way the East sees struggle. This culture
accepts kids who struggle, and are encouraged to work on it. Eastern people see it as an
opportunity to develop the students’ intelligence. For example, one of Stigler’s investigation
experiences was sitting at the back of a Taiwanese classroom and observing the class. He noticed
that one kid, who was struggling with his task, was asked to develop his activity on the board, but
not for humiliating the kid, but for encourage him to do it correctly. In the West, struggle is seen
from a different point of view. The student who struggles in the classroom is immediately left out,
sent to extra classes and the teacher sees the kid as a problem that must be dealt with
seriousness. In contrast to the East, struggle has a negative connotation in America, is not seen as
a possibility like in the West.

The next two differences are not so positives as it was the last one, which might have been
an advantage, but these are probably not. Another difference that is seen in such cultures is the
expectations and pressures that are put in front of the students. In the East, what is expected from
the students is to be quiet and respectful; they are not allowed neither encouraged to express
their ideas and questions to the teacher, because it is seen as a challenge to the authority. On the
other hand, the western system encourages the class to think for themselves, to have opinions
and group discussions that develop critical thinking. The more they ask questions and express their
opinions and doubts, the better for the student.

One big last difference between the East and The West is their educational goals. The first
focuses more on the student’s university admissions. Teachers teach in order to help students to
enter the right university, but they don’t provide moral and social education. The West, in
contrast, concerns also about university admissions, but students, as it was explained before, are
taught to learn and understand, and to be able to solve problems on their own, by having their
personal opinions and thoughts. They have freedom when it comes to choose a university and a
course of study.

Few similarities are drawn from analyzing both cultures. One is the ultimate goal they have:
to have their citizens educated as well as they can. This will only happen if society takes advantage
of the educational opportunities they are given. To have an education is an important and positive
aspect for their societies and both cultures try their hard in giving them what they ought to have.

Another thing in common noticed was the enormous investment they do in education.
Although one side is better placed than the other, both cultures invest a large amount in schools
and teachers. It also is a positive aspect for both sides. It means that both the East and the West,
worry about education and do an important move about it.
 Lastly, another noticeable similarity between the two cultures is that both put pressure on
the students, in order to be successful o to reach what is expected from them. For both cultures,
having an education, be literate, is what would take the younger far in life. So they pressure the
students, both teachers and parents.

To sum up, it is clearly seen how marked the differences are. Both cultures contrast a lot in
these aspects and many more, but I think that the West can learn few aspects from the East, and
vice versa. These aspects may be seen as positive or negative depending on the previously formed
thought on education, but the question is to be open minded and respect the customs and the
way they teach and learn.