Education and Culture

Paper Summary:

This paper describes the different approaches to education and schooling that are taken by three different cultures. It focuses on comparing three national educational systems from Asia, Continental Europe and the United Kingdom, specifically Japan, France and the UK. The paper shows how education is as much a social construct as any other facet of a culture.

From the Paper:

"Still, there is less flexibility in United Kingdom curriculum planning than in America. Compulsory national testing is routine at the ages of the ages of 7, 11, 14, in England and Scotland. Students at state schools are also tested in science and math. Like Japan and France, students must take state exams to exit from university, and there are advanced level exams one must take to attend universities ("Introduction to School Life," Woodlands Junior School, 2007). However, while most students attend state schools, private schools are much more common in England (called 'public schools'). Often these schools are extremely expensive and criticized as vestiges of the English class system, as only the very wealthy and connected members of British or Scottish society can attend such schools as Eton."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "French state education - an introduction." FrenchEntree.com. 2003. 20 Oct 2007. http://www.frenchentree.com/fe-education/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=70
• "Introduction to School Life." Woodlands Junior School. 20 Oct 2007. http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/education/index.html
• "Primary and Secondary Education." Country Studies: Japan. 20 Oct 2007. http://www.country-studies.com/japan/primary-and-secondary-education.html
• Samovar, Larry A., Porter, Richard, E. and McDaniel, Edward R. Communication between Cultures. 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2006a.
• Samovar, Larry A., Porter, Richard, E. and McDaniel, Edward R. Intercultural Communication: A Reader. 11th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2006b.

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