Learning in Canada and China

Before I came to Canada, I was studying in China for 12 years, so I noticed something is different or similar between these two countries, such as learning, cultures and so on. Let’s talk more about learning. We learn at home and at school every day. There are too many differences in these two parts. For example, homework, class activities and school time. And there also are some similarities, such as the tools used in class and the attitude of studying.

First is at school, in China, every class just has 40 or 45 minutes, but in Canada student have one and a half or two hours in each lesson. A short class can make students pay more and longer attention to the teacher, but also make teacher can’t finish the teaching. My teachers often like have a long lesson more than one and a half hours. And in China students go to school at 7 o’clock and finish at 5 o’clock or later. However, in Canada the classes are from 8:30am to 12:30pm or 12:30pm to 8:30am just four hours. The study time in school, if is too long will make students feel tired, but if is too short will make students can’t study much enough. So it’s difficult to decide how long is better. On the other hand, in China, students’ learning styles are listening to the teachers and reading the textbook, but in Canada, students need not only study it but also use it and we have many activities such as games and team works. As we know, study at home is different form at school, so what are the differences between Canadian and Chinese learning at home?

Then is at home, in China is unlike in Canada, because in China, students’ homework is for next day and in Canada mostly it’s for two days later so Chinese homework is more than Canadian. And in China, students’ homework usually is on the textbook and workbook, rarely time we use computer. But in Canada, students usually use computer and Internet, for example, we use blog, Focus on Grammar and Leap Online. Doing homework use Internet has some advantages and disadvantages. For example, Internet is good for broadening horizon but it also bad for eyes and mental health. On the other hand, in China, students review for the final exam even for a half month because almost just final exam can decide if they can pass. However, in Canada, the final mark is decided by usual marks and final exam. This part, I think Canadian is better because if a student feels bad and he gets a low mark but he is very good in this term, it’s unfair if he can’t pass the exam. There are many diffierences but also many similarities.

At last are the similarities, first, in both China and Canada, in the classes teachers not only use books, boards but also use modern tools, such as computers and Internet. These make the classes more convenient and vivid and make students pay more attention to classes. Second, China is similar to Canada, because after students study some new knowledge we have practice and quiz to make sure they can use it. As known, studying is not for exams or just get a bachelor’s or master’s degrees, but it’s for our careers and fives. So try our best to study use and practice the knowledge. And finally, if students want to get good mark, they must study hard and have good attitudes on studying, because nobody can succeed without effort.

There are many differences and similarities in Chinese and Canadian studies include at school, at home and so on. But once we go to a different country to study, we should bring our good learning strategies but also have to adapt the new styles. If we can do this, it will be easy to have a good mark and do as well as in our own countries. From now on, try to find differences and similarities in Canadian and your countries’ studies, because it’s good for your study.(649)