Math is an area that many students, both children and adults, struggle with. However, it has been observed that on average, Chinese students tend to score higher on math tests than their peers.
What are the reasons behind this phenomenon? In this article, we explore 13 reasons why Chinese kids may be better at math than their counterparts.
1. Focus on Foundational Math Skills
A fundamental component of why Chinese kids are so good at math is their early emphasis on learning the basics. Chinese students spend a great deal of time in elementary and middle school working on solidifying their math foundations. For instance, even before they start studying multiplication and division, they first master their multiplication tables.
This focus on ensuring a strong understanding of fundamentals is what allows Chinese students to build upon their math skills as they progress in their studies.
2. Greater Time Spent on Math
Not only do Chinese kids focus more on the fundamentals of math early on, but they also dedicate a greater amount of time to studying math in general. In China, math is a regular component of both standardized tests and most academic classes. As a result, students devote more hours to preparing for math exams, honing the skills they have learned at school.
This collective effort to refine their math skills helps them gain a better grasp of the subject.
3. Rigorous Education System
In addition to spending more time on math and focusing more on the basics, Chinese students are also subject to a more rigorous education system. Standardized testing is a major component of the Chinese education system, with tests determining the students’ path in life.
As such, students take their studies very seriously, studying for long hours and doing anything necessary for success. This rigor further sharpens their math skills, allowing them to hone their knowledge as they progress through school.
4. Competitive Environment
A major factor influencing why Chinese kids are better at math is the competitive environment they grow up in. Even at a young age, Chinese children are pushed to be the best they can be, competing with their peers to get the best grades and producing the most impressive projects. This competition not only encourages students to strive for excellence, but also creates a unique sense of ambition and determination, further aiding their studies.
5. Emphasis on Learning by Doing
Chinese education puts a strong emphasis on learning by doing. This means teaching students through creative, hands-on activities, encouraging them to make mistakes and learn from them.
Through this type of learning, students are able to master the material more quickly and gain a solid understanding of the concepts. It also helps students become more creative with their problem-solving, producing more creative solutions to their math problems.
6. Culturally Relevant Education
Another key component of Chinese education is its emphasis on culturally relevant topics and topics. Chinese students are encouraged to learn about their own history and culture, deepening their understanding of their country and of the world. This is done by exposing students to traditional Chinese literature, history and values.
In the context of math, this ties in deeply with the concepts being taught, allowing them to view it in a larger, more meaningful context.
7. Holistic Approach to Learning
Chinese education also takes a holistic approach to learning. Rather than simply memorizing facts and equations, students are encouraged to evaluate the material critically and to synthesize information in order to better understand it. This helps students form a better connection to the material, as they are able to put it into a deeper, more impactful context.
With this type of learning, students are able to gain an intricate appreciation of math and its underlying concepts.
8. Elders’ Support
Chinese kids also benefit from strong support from their elders. Chinese families place an emphasis on education and instill a respect for knowledge and learning in their children from a young age.
Parents are actively involved in their children’s education, from helping them with their homework to taking them to pick out extra books to read. This support further enhances the students’ understanding of their studies, allowing them to further their skills and mastery.
9. Positive Reward System
The Chinese educational system also employs a positive reward system to incentivize good performance. Students are given recognition and rewards for excelling in their studies, which further encourages them to strive to succeed.
This reward system encourages the students to take their math studies seriously, pushing them to improve and learn even more. Furthermore, it also creates a greater sense of satisfaction, motivating them even further.
10. Availability of Tutors
Not only do Chinese kids benefit from elders’ support and a positive reward system, but they also have access to tutors more readily than their peers. In China, there are many tutoring services that help students prepare for their tests. In fact, it is quite common for Chinese students to make use of tutors regularly in order to polish their math skills.
This is an add-on bonus of being in China, as they can get extra help that is not as accessible to others.
11. Social Pressure
There is also a strong social pressure in China to succeed academically. This is due to the competitive nature of the educational system, which creates a desire among the students to be the best and be viewed accordingly by their peers.
Students then place a greater emphasis on studying, pushing each other to excel in order to obtain higher grades and more success. As a result, Chinese students are some of the best students out there, thanks to this type of drive.
12. Group Study Sessions
Another major factor influencing why Chinese kids are better at math is the fact that they often study together in groups. This allows them to test each other on their material, helping solidify their understanding of it. Not only does this create a better learning experience, but it also facilitates a greater collaboration among the group, enriching their studies.
The group dynamic also creates a sense of camaraderie, making their studies more enjoyable and empowering their math skills.
13. Rigorous Training
Finally, many Chinese kids are often subject to extremely rigorous training in order to excel at math. This is especially true for those who are striving to compete in math competitions or taking part in advanced mathematical programs.
Such trainings push the students to hone and improve their math skills, allowing them to gain a much greater understanding of the subject. This further sharpens their problem solving and analytical skills, setting them apart from their peers.
Conclusion
From a focus on foundational math skills to greater time spent on the subject and rigorous training, there are many reasons for why Chinese kids tend to be better at math than other students. With these components in place, it’s no wonder why Chinese students tend to be ahead of the curve when it comes to math.
And by taking note of the different factors mentioned here, teachers, parents and students alike can apply them to their own math studies in order to maximize their own math skills and grades.