Lenora Chu

This book came in my monthly subscription box from Coloring and Classics (which I'm not sponsored by but I do highly recommend to all and sundry). I don't know that this is a book I would normally would have picked up simply because it sounds like a fairly dry topic on its surface. However, this book was supremely interesting and kept me engaged from beginning to end. It's essentially a study into the differences between the Chinese and United States educational systems. This is less of a straightforward researcher's look at the issue because Chu and her family actually relocated to China and her oldest son was enrolled in a traditional Chinese grammar school. She discusses the culture and history of China and how that has impacted the way that the educational system has been run in the past (and how it in many ways has not changed). It's fascinating and shines rather a stark light on the U.S. view as well. Even if you have no skin in the game (or a child to send to school) this is an excellent resource and a great way to learn about another culture.… (altro)

A fun, balanced read. Excellently written. My only misgivings were in the latter chapters being a little too rosy in favor of the benefits of the Chinese system. I say that because I've taught all age levels in China, and while children are resilient, and of course there can be good things to learn and adopt from the Chinese system, I've seen what to me looks like the innocence of childhood and creativity of young adulthood squashed by overwork and the force of an overbearing education system, up to and including government and parental forced choices for vocation.

That is a topic not explicitly brought into focus, but I believe it to be at the root of the problem. Instilling good discipline, good concentration abilities, book smarts, etc are good endeavors, but if the unique spark of the person within is diminished, you'll produce adults working jobs that were really only forced upon them and continuing to live life as just a means to an end.… (altro)

Fascinating description of what the differences are between an American kindergarten for 3 yr olds and the same thing in Shanghai. The American author puts her 3 yr old son into a Chinese state kindergarten, which would lead on to the first few years of 'proper school' She finds it a huge cultural leap, and worries about the decision much of the time. Most Ex-Pats put their little darlings into the many (expensive) International Schools which flourish in China.
The author goes on to do some in depth research about the way Chinese children are taught (right up to the age of 180 and compares and contrasts it with the Western teaching methods for children. The biggest difference seems to be that at the very outset of schooling children in China are forced to sit and focus on what the teacher is saying. The idea of 'not being good at Maths, and neither was my dad' holds no water in China, by the age of 5 they are acquainted with quite sophisticated mathematical concepts, having learnt the basics by rote their minds are freed up to consider such challenges.
I have lived in China for 10 years (my children are long grown-up and gone) and I'm not sure why I picked up this book - however, I am so glad I did. I learned so much; it is both informative and thought provoking, and one learns a great deal about life in China (not just the education system) from it.
Given that the Chinese education system is not the most appealing subject to read about, I must congratulate the author for writing a really engaging book.
So far I have recommended the book to seven teachers in the West, I think they will find it as fascinating as I did.
Amongst her serious research information, there are snippets of how her little boy is progressing, some of absolute hilarity. The time when one teacher (and several others) hears that her husband is on a business trip to the US and demands that she order (on behalf of several staff members) expensive designer handbags is an absolute hoot.

If you are in the education profession - whatever level - or have a child who is about to, or has recently start at kindergarten, this is the book for you.… (altro)