Components Of Chinese Culture And Education

The research question and addressed in this study was: What are three of the most important components of Chinese culture and how do they influence their education system? Key influences included Jin Li, G. Hofstede and H.C. Triandis. This topic was explored through a combination of personal experiences, reflections of those experiences, extensive online research and conversations with former and current EFL/ESL teachers who have taught, and in some cases are still currently teaching, in Mainland China. The three components of Chinese culture this study focuses on are the concept of face, collectivism and Confucianism. All three components are examined and related to education in Mainland China. Additionally, each component is contrasted with Western culture, specifically the United States. Results indicated, as expected, that Chinese culture and Western culture differ tremendously. The concept of face is less significant and widespread in the West. Whereas China is a collectivist culture countries like the United States are more individualistic. Finally, China has been influenced by Confucius whereas Western countries have been influenced by Greek Philosophy and the Judeo-Christian tradition