This past summer, I had the privilege of teaching at a bilingual school in China. At first I was apprehensive about the program. The school was clearly well funded, and being a school that taught Chinese and English, the tuition was probably quite expensive, which means that most of the children came from wealthy families. And yes, I gave in to the stereotypical impression that rich kids meant snooty kids. Oh how wrong I was...
The children I interacted with were among some of the most selfless kids I have ever seen. There was the occasional temper tantrum and tweenage angst, but on the whole, they behaved better than any group of American kids I have taught. I am convinced that it is due to a combination of Eastern discipline and Western education. I am talking about, of course, Confucian values and Socratic thinking.
Of course, the Confucian values were not taken literally from the meanings, that is to say, the school did not operate on the basis that women were inferior to men, and that men were inferior to their leaders. However, they did practice strict etiquette in terms of proper respect due to an elder. For example, all the young males at the camp could not sit in the presence of the principal unless the principal was seated. When children brought in snacks, they made sure to offer a portion to their teachers before eating it themselves. Outside of the classroom, they listened intently to what adults had to say about any and every topic. When given a reward of sorts from their teachers, the younger ones would immediately think of their siblings, and instead of enjoying their prize by themselves, waited instead to share with their older/younger sister/brother. Their teachers did not just teach them, but also took care of them and looked after them like a parent. At the school, there existed not only a learning community, but a family. This was something I loved about Confucian values: treat everyone as a friend, treat everyone as family, and treat everyone with respect. Listen to your elders and care for the young.
However, instead of placing emphasis on memorization and conformed thinking, the school encouraged progressive and creative thinking, as well as asking questions and innovation. Of course, students were still encouraged to memorize famous pieces of Chinese and English literature. I know for a fact that their capacity for memorization is far greater than mine ever was, yet they still retain the curious and intellectual spirit that is so desired in American liberal arts schools. It is probably helpful that their dedication to schoolwork and learning is also inspired by a deep respect and admiration for their own teachers. Their school system is not unlike the one I grew up in: the most liberal education philosophy in one of the most liberal towns of one of the most liberal states in one of the most liberal countries in the world.
I am truly convinced that this school embodied the best of both cultures, with respect to education, and maybe to life in general. I don't think this school is just an example of what other schools in China should strive for, but also what an education in America should strive for. Students need to learn to respect their teachers, not out of fear (although that undoubtedly helps), but out of love and respect. And parents should view teachers as a partner in their children's growing experience, not as an outsourcing option. It seems that the American and Chinese education system would stand to gain quite a bit from each other, for the sake of their children and the nation's future.
I, for one, will try to give my children the best of both worlds.
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