The-comparison-between-Chinese-and-American-higher-education-system

1、Part Two: The comparison between Chinese and American higher education system.Both in America and China, the main ordinary higher education refers to junior college bachelors, masters and doctoral degree program, but there exists great difference of higher education system between China and America.

2、 The basic education, vocational and polytechnic education, ordinary higher education and adult education are four major types of education in China. While in United States, there are also four major types of higher education system. They are the (1)university, which may contain:（a）several colleges

3、for undergraduate students seeking a bachelors(four-year)degree and(b)one or more the bachelors degree to obtain a masters or a doctoral degree;(2)the four-year undergraduate institution-the college-most of which are not part of a university;(3)the technical training institution, at which high schoo

4、l graduates may take courses ranging from six months to four years in duration and learn a wide variety of technical skills, from hair styling though business accounting to computer programming; and(4)the two-year, or community colleges or universities.1 American undergraduate students receive gener

5、alist education, and graduate receive professional education. When they are at the doctor level, all of them would take a comprehensive examination. If they fail to pass the examination, they are doom to be wiped out. According to the research, there are nearly one-third students miss the degree. By

6、 comparing and analyzing their difference, we can be aware of their respective merits and drawbacks, and improve our education system at the same time. 2.1 The contrast of students admission system between Chinese and American higher education system.The different students election system decides di

7、fferent students quality.Each school in United States set their own admission requirements. The academic section is generally the most important but not the only deciding factor. On the other way round, their comprehensive capabilities play an important role. Moreover, there is no much restraint of

8、admission system. American college students are always composed by senior high schools, social workers, unemployed men and so on as long as they can afford tuitions and hand in required application. Out of more than three million students who graduate from high school each year, about one million go

9、 on for higher education. A college at a leading university might receive applications from 2% of these high school graduates, and then accept only one out of every ten who apply. The admission process consists of application forms, admission tests and essays. Universities make admission decisions b

10、ased on academic achievement, test scores and application. The successful applicants at colleges and universities are unusually chosen on the basis of :(a)their high school records;(b)recommendations from their high school teachers;(c)the impression they make during interviews at the college or univ

11、ersity ;and(d)their scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests(SATs)英語國家社會與文化入門).( By these applications, one can exhibit his potential, communication, individual style and other strong suits, and make colleges get to know comprehensively of students. Of course, if one have special strong point, he may

12、 also be recruited because you will pay honor to your university or college. For instance, if one does well in football which can stirs up the most national interest, he may be enrolled with conditional admission.A fact is that one of my friends who has got American colleges and universities offers

13、told me his success owing to his humor, pure-heartedness, and his prominent inter-communication. As studying in an international high school, my friend cultivates ability to study on his own, think things out for himself. During his part time, he had been assuming tutor for foreigners. Its because a

14、ll his achievements in high school are taken into account, so he can got American colleges and universities offers.On the other hand, in China, after students graduating from nationwide senior high schools, nearly all colleges and universities recruit students according to corresponding entrance exa

15、mination marks. The entrance examination is usually organized on July each year, and nearly all high school students would take the examination. In their point of views, the chance of becoming members of university is totally determined by the entrance examination final marks. Therefore, the annuall

16、y entrance examination is usually regarded as an examination of life even an examination of fortune.2.2 The contrast of semester arrangement between Chinese and American higher education system.Undergraduate education in United States and China set four years for undergraduate students to study, but

17、 American have different semester arrangement with Chinese. Some colleges and universities have two semesters a year, while others have four semesters a year. Usually, the length of a semester may last 10 to 16 weeks. As to four semesters system, each semester is called Quarter with approximate ten

18、weeks. Therefore, the circle of students educated time is shortened, besides, there are enough time provided for students to choose curricula they interest. While, nearly all undergraduate education in China has quadrennium Quadrennium:four years. for university life. Still, there are some special,

19、such as many medical academies and some scientific academies arrange five or six years for undergraduate education. I n China, an academic year have two semesters which are divided with spring and autumn. Thereby, students will spend large number of time on schooling and less time allowing them choo

20、se what they interest, saying nothing of practice.2.3 The contrast of curricular and specialty between Chinese and American higher education system.Different curricular and specialty offered bring different consequences. Taking the case of American universities and colleges, no matter public or priv

21、ate, they offer a vast array of specialties for students. Broad field specialties are organized give students a broad overview of field, give students general introduction to the theories, research, and findings. After all, the more specialties mean there are more kinds of curricular students can el

22、ect, more comprehensive knowledge students attain. In United States, students just can apply for admission of university but not the major(the field in which they want to their degree).At the undergraduate level, Students in United States must abide instructions to complete basis curricular during t

23、he first two years, such as world history, math, writhing or research. During, and the next years, they start to choose majors according to their interests and strong suits. The National Institute of Education, a government agency, reports that a total of more than 1000 majors are offered in America

24、s colleges and universities. The combined electives available in these schools probably amount to a number in the tens of thousands American Education, American and British Culture .Thereby, if they feel the curricular the core course they are studying has not appreciated them, they can also choose

25、to transfer to another major. Besides, time permitting, students can choose sub-majoring at the same time. Some universities frequently held plenty of academic forums, and the reports are always lectured by some academia prominent experts in United States. At the graduate student level, students wri

26、ting skills are important because they may be required to write large number of articles. Generally, they may be required at least 5pages to 10pages paper after completing reading materials every week. Science and engineer students should spend much time on laboratory and accomplish their experiment

27、 report. Higher education in America has always stressed character training or social skills training though extracurricular activities, including organized sports and performing arts. The broad range of extra curricular includes such as cycling, mountain climbing, horse riding, and chess playing. A

28、t many schools, there are interesting communities which bring universities plenty of vigor and vitality. Among the activities are newspapers, musical organizations, dramatic, swimming club, radio stations, and some volunteer groups. Some of these have their own meeting place in which services and so

29、cial activities be held. Students are frequently seen working as volunteers in hospitals and homes for the-elderly, or other public-service work. Long summer holiday in the eyes of students is not just rest or recreation time, but some summer training schools are prepared for students participation.

30、 As a rule, summer training schools also have rigorous disciplines. What students actions in summer training schools are playing a significant role in their future development. The aim of the system is to cultivate well-developed talents. Maybe this system will lead most students choosing most popul

31、ar speciality, leaving less faculty for fun. In order to keep away from this trouble, American Universities adopt two-way election between students and departments. This system suits American individuation, and students studying on their own exerts profound influence on their personality and life.Ho

32、wever, this is a little different from Chinese universities curricular arrangement, after all, we are far less free. Students in China choose majors before they enter universities, and its not very easy to transfer one department to another in a same school, let alone to another school. When student

33、s receive the offer of universities, the curricular they applied is unchangeable. What they should do is to finish curricular rules formulated. One similar system is both of America and China have required course and elective course. But for the facility in university is limited, excepting a student

34、 having right to choose some elective course with interest, they may not be entitled to enjoy same freedom of choosing courses. Moreover, some courses require exams or interviews if they would like to shift course, or choose popular course.2.4 The contrast of model teaching between Chinese and Ameri

35、can higher education systemWhether students can break new grounds in advanced research or brought up to ensure that the knowledge innovations are decided by educational methodology. Comparing the way of teaching in China, American higher education emphasis on cultivation of knowledge absorbability,

36、ability of application and creation. In America, the teaching methods are more flexible than Chinese teaching methods. They advocate democracy, and teachers always pay more attention to help students construct knowledge system rather than being familiar with every details of lecture. They encourage

37、students to raise problems, to cultivate active and harmonious atmosphere, to doubt predecessors fruits. Moreover, American emphasis on practical class as well excepting teaching in class. During the practical class, students are often divided ten or twenty people per group which directed by an assi

38、stant teacher to do some creative actions at full steam. For instance, they are having reading class, students would be required raise themselves viewpoints no matter the views relate to the clou of materials and individual character analysis. Sometimes, several professors instruct a same course, an

39、d the aim is to provide students equal rights to choose professor they want. At the same time, students establish fine relationship with teachers. Furthermore, as there is no fixed materials for students, so many materials are appointed by professional teacher, and some curricular are teached in the

40、 way of lecture or discussion. As we know, there is a saying goes that the admission in America is easy but graduation is so hard. This owing to large number of assignment and examinations are required. If students dont take them seriously, they may fail to attain the diploma. This special model tea

41、ching system is advantage of fostering students ability of independent learning, analyzing and solving concrete problems independently.On the other hand, in China, students could learn knowledge better because they are good at reciting a large number of notes given by their teachers, and they unders

42、tand the essence of their majors deeply. Consequently, they like a machine designed for examination for they can do well in all kinds of exams, tests, and quiz. At every turn, many teachers would like to teach those may be questioned in papers, or to pack up a serious of knowledge points for help st

43、udent examination. The exam-education in China not only sharpen students burden but also deform students knowledge and culture structure, or narrow their knowledge and culture. As lacing of intercommunication and creation for years, students in China are lack of courage in class, and are lack of the

44、 ability of thinking independently.2.5 The contrast of credit and degree systems between Chinese and American higher education systemDifferent curricular arrangement will lead to different credit hour. Typically, an undergraduate student only earn a certain number of credits can he or she receive a

45、degree at the end of four years of college and university. One credit usually equals one hour of class per week in a single course. A three-credit courses in biology and involve two hours of lectures plus one hour in a science lab, every week. Usually, students can earn credits by attending lectures

46、, passing related examinations, and finish some assignments. Although there are required course and elected course in both America and China, in United States, required courses are no more than Chinese, and their credit hour approach 30%-40% of the total. The basic courses and speciality courses cre

47、dit hour make up about 33% of the total, and others make up nearly 67% of the total credit hour2.Thus the student can freely select large number of fields of selected courses universities have provided. Frequently, the first two years are spent in broad general education which are required courses a

48、nd the last two years students can choose one or two disciplines that are referred to as major fields of study. On the contrary, Chinese students fail to have such freedom to choose selected courses not only the elected courses are few but also the required course take students much time. The credit

49、 hour of required course make up 85%-90% of the total, and basic courses and speciality courses credit hour make up about 30%-45% of the total 3.So there are scarcely any chance given to students to choose elected courses.But as with the degree system in America is a little similar in China. Both of American univer