Education in China, in its various forms and levels, is widely conceptualised as integrating the cultivation of "human souls" with the provision of students with knowledge. The English word "education" is "jiao yu" in Chinese, which means "teaching [and] cultivating". The analogy "shi nian shu mu, bai…

A discussion of the state of writing instruction in English as a foreign language (EFL) in China begins with a review of the history of instruction, and then looks at the current situation in Chinese schools. The focus in on political influences on the evolution of EFL composition instruction and on problems in the acceptance of contemporary…

A survey of master's level English language teacher trainees in a Chinese university examined prevailing attitudes toward a methodology course and compared them to previous findings. Students were asked to rate course quality and the quantity of various course materials and tasks. The results showed an overall positive reaction to the course, with…

Suggests that the communicative approach plays a role in English language teaching in China, but that aspects of this approach must be applied selectively partly because of the educational environment there. The article argues that the approach embodies significant Western culture-specific assumptions regarding learning processes. (15 references)…

This study compared preferred homework styles of Chinese students who were characterized by: (1) high versus low self-perceived homework achievement and attitude; (2) high versus low teacher-rated homework completion and quality; (3) high versus low academic achievement in mathematics. Gender differences in homework styles were also examined.…

Presents findings from this condensation of major studies of the differences among U.S., Chinese, and Japanese education. Explanations for the superior performance of Chinese and Japanese students are explored in the areas of home and parents, effort and ability, organization of schooling, and teachers and teaching. (SLD)

This feature is a collection of brief essays recently written by Japanese and Chinese gay youth, followed by commentary from several leading educators and scholars. Akihiko Komiya's "Difficulties Japanese Gay Youth Encounter" provides excerpts from the stories of six gay youth and their everyday lives, based on their letters in…

Field observations of a visiting foreign exchange scholar (English teacher) and interview responses from teachers and students are the basis for this description of an urban elementary school in Shanghai (People's Republic of China). The school day begins with group exercise, which is repeated at about 2-hour intervals throughout the school day,…

Seven widely-used high school world history textbooks were analyzed to test the proposition that alternative political and economic systems, such as American democracy and Soviet communism, are treated neutrally, as if they are morally equivalent. This proposition has been advanced by leaders in the U.S. Department of Education as a criticism of…

Considers some of the complexities of text, ownership, memorization, and plagiarism. The article suggests that plagiarism needs to be understood in terms of complex relationships between text, memory, and learning as part of an undertaking to explore different relationships between learning, literacy, and cultural difference. (49 references)…

This anthology contains 16 papers devoted to 3 aspects of human resources development (HRD): the institutional perspective on learning for development, the key actors in HRD, and the role of HRD in improving individual and organizational performance. The papers are: "Human Resources Development and Adjustment" (Kanawaty);…

This study identifies and describes the difficulties faced by secondary school Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in Qinghai Province (China) in adopting the communicative approach to language instruction. It examines the perceptions of both teachers and teacher trainers. Data were drawn from semi-structured interviews with one…

This report of the proceedings of a conference on graduate education contains papers from plenary and concurrent sessions, information on awards presentations, information on the Council of Graduate Schools' (CGS) business meeting, copies of the CGS constitution and bylaws, and a CGS list of member institutions. constitution and bylaws, and a CGS…

The booklet presents transcripts of six radio programs dealing with education in China. Part of the National Public Radio's series entitled "Options in Education," the programs are based on a two-week tour of Chinese schools, colleges, libraries, and day care facilities by one of the radio show hosts. The first program offers insights…

Describes the major characteristics of elementary school education in rural China and the problems that confront rural educators. Discusses student-teacher relationship, classroom management strategies, principal and teacher roles, differences between urban and rural education, economic influences on rural education, and challenges for rural…