schools are so competitive in japan that kids have to have extra study classes after school to prepare themselves (2years in advance) for entrance exams. They have entrance exams at every level for private schools, which are viewed to be the better schools. That and mix in how graduating college is a pretty much given to get any career oriented position in a japanese company. So parents are constantly pushing their kids to go to good schools and graduate a good university because they know their kid will have better opportunities at companies and such. Not too sure about the rest of asia, but i know they have the same work ethic as far as studying goes.

Just to let you know, chances are this thread will be closed...

This is a stereotype. I have taught in a Japanese high school. There are smart kids, lazy kids, and every type you can think of.

In Japan, only Jr. high is required. If a student wishes to attend a good high school, the student must pass a test. Yes, a test for public high school. There, education is a bit more of a privilege.

MMM, please don't close the thread, yet. Yes it's a stereotype, but I has been a cordial discourse and the person who generated the thread may learn something. She asked politely and seems open to learning why. We've estblished the fact that it is a stereotype. If it's polite, then it may be a way of overcoming the stereotype, at least with the person who asked the question.

As long as it stays cordial I won't be the one to close it, but if the line is crossed, it will likely be be gone.

Keep in mind the opinions of Westerners in USA, Europe, etc. vs. Asians in Asia and how and why they are so different.

Thank you!

p11p11p11

That's a bit of a stereotype... ^^;;; There are all kinds of Asian students out there, and not all of them are super smart. Take me for example. Math and science are the hardest things for me in the world, while my mother gets frustrated easily about how I'm not good at math like a lot of my other Asian peers. XD;;;; Not all Asians are future doctors or lawyers or businessmen.

Other than the cultural value of education in Asia (courtesy of Confucius), one reason for the stereotype might be how much more advanced asian curriculum is compared to American curriculum. Often what Americans are learning in their freshman/sophomore year is something that middle schoolers have already mastered. I have a cousin who goes to a Korean school and he's only a year younger than me. However when I looked at his math homework, I was absolutely stumped. He in turn asked what the heck I was learning in America. My ego = -10000000 x 10^100 XD;;;

Although, asian education is more based upon rote memorization and is less humanities-based, so that would be a downfall. My mother said that in her history classes, the teacher often had the whole class memorize their textbook cover to cover before taking the test. Naturally, my mother knew the answers to the test questions, but she had no idea what they actually meant.

Just my two cents. ^^

Cause they have no life and spend all day long home, revising for their tests and stuff :mtongue:

Compared to Americans who go to drive-thru's and eat cheeseburgers all day?

And that's generalization folks!

Well, I'm glad to not be in Japan right now...I thought it was hard enough as it is here...

hmmm i doubt the Japanese Eductaion system is the hardest in the world....

although it is quite strict and from my point of vuew...quite strange (primary school kids being taught in schools without shirts...etc)


one place i think the Japanese education system falls over quite badly though...is critical thinking...while this is given ALOT of emphasis in brittain and europe...it apears to be all but completely missing from Japanese education

which is a pity