Growing Up Chinese - Education in China

What is it like growing up in China? What is the public education like in China? We want to share with you today what my experience, and millions of others, was like growing up in China. What is the Chinese school system like? What is the environment like? Just like in the US, Chinese children start attending school and grade one at six years old. Usually in China, however, kindergarten is from three to five years old. Before three years old no one sends their children to daycare. Before going into ANY school in China you are required to take Entrance Examinations. Even for Elementary School, entrance exams are a requirement that must be met, and every family does all that they can to get a child's resume and preparation for the exam in good order so that they can have a chance to get into the best elementary schools. Chinese Parents will get special tutoring for their children, earning various certificates proving their abilities in different musical instruments, proficiency at English, ability to play various team sports. All these certificates parents seek for their children to improve their chances of getting into the best Schools, from Elementary to University! Elementary School in China will START at 8:00 AM and typically ends around 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM. But Elementary Schools will give children 1 hour lunch and about 40 minutes to 1 hour of nap time. Children are encouraged to nap at their desks, not on the floor. Just lay down and rest. Some schools are better than others, if you aren't sleepy you can read, but a good number of teachers will require children to rest their heads on their desk at least even if they aren't very sleepy. For all grade levels, from the lowest to the highest, it is important to note that there is no School Bus system. Always parents, or grand parents, or when they are old enough themselves the students, will walk to school every morning. Going into Middle School requires the same level of intensity on entrance exams as Elementary School had. The Grading numbering system reverts back to "Grade 1, 2 and 3" for Middle school as you are only there for three years. You'll usually say, "I'm second year middle school" or something of this nature, rather than saying "I'm in grade 7" in China. In Middle School, classes will start at 7:30 or 7:40 AM, and stop at 5:00 PM. It doesn't matter what grade you are in: classes will not be over any earlier than 5:00 PM. Some middle schools even require you to come back to school after having dinner with your family for a "self study" time. For attending High School, you are again required to take a much more intense entrance exam. Classes last from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and occasionally lasting until 10:00 PM. This lasts for six days a week, not five and students will have a half day on Sunday for resting. Some areas have gotten better, with a half day of rest going to a day and a half of rest. High School you are required to take nine classes during the semester. Some of you may be aware of something in China called Gāokǎo. This is the entrance exam for University. During this period of time the entirety of Chinese Society pays extra special attention to this time period. From Jun 6th to about June 8th. From morning to afternoon. All the police forces, including Special Security / SWAT teams, will be directing traffic helping families get their children to these exams on time. All other traffic, taxis and including public transit like buses, must make way for families trying to get their children to their exams. During the part of the Gāokǎo called "listening comprehension for English", and will hold up signs demanding "no horns", if any driver honks their horn it may start a small riot as families could very likely smash your car, and even the police will most likely write you a citation for violating this special quiet time. Going to the University for Chinese students is one of the best ways to change your life, so this exam is a special time and it is taken very seriously by their parents. When the exams are over, typically your whole family will be waiting for you outside the school. This includes your parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts will all be there waiting for you to finish. I think, honestly, compared to American Universities, Chinese University life is pretty easy in comparison, so getting past that final entrance exam going into the Chinese University is like crossing a finishing line for many people. What do you think of Chinese School life? Let us know in the comments below! ---------------- Donate: http://www.patreon.com/5minutechinese Website: http://www.5minutechinese.com 5 Minute Chinese : S06E18