I used to think kids here studied a lot, but looking at other Asian countries, I’m not so sure.
Apparently there aren’t any school sports clubs in Taiwan and Korea, and community teams are few and far in between. You’re either an athlete or student. Many students virtually have no life outside of school and cram schools.
China and India are a bit weird because there are so many people.
In Japan, quite a lot of students take sports seriously but not academics.
On the other hand, there are systems such as high school/middle school hensachi and referral admissions that pretty much encourage inter student academic competition.
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Some do, some don’t. The vast majority pretends with minimal effort. Many don’t unless they have a vision or motivation. The same is likely true anywhere, just emphasized by the way the system works (especially at the university level).
As the child of a European migrant family, IMO there’s a bit of a myth (enforced by proud stereotypes) that all Asians study really hard and have ridiculously strict parents.
I challenge this stereotype and don’t think it stacks up… particularly when the kids aren’t even migrants. My experience with Japanese schools is that if you wanna get your arse kicked then grow up with my parents and attend private boarding schools where you’re micro-managed with gruelling sports + academic activities from 7am to 9pm (when you’re expected to sleep, after your homework / revision is all complete). I don’t think your average Japanese parent or school teacher is that tough.
IMO like anywhere, you get people who study hard and you get people who don’t. Japan has its fair share of lazy kids and it’s not as if 99% of Japanese kids are doctors/lawyers.
That said, I guess it depends what your yardstick is. If your childhood involved smoking lotsa bongs, cutting classes and avoiding as much study as possible then sure – all Japanese people study hard. I’d read such experiences the other way around though. Maybe some people are lazy in comparison to your average Japanese kid so will see them as being highly driven?
imlive in japan japanese but its not common sense. if some student want more study can study. also some student dont want study can dont study. same school or not too. must need effort and motivations! …maybe
Like the workplace in Japan, a lot of students go through the motions of studying (cram school, holding an English phrase book in front of their face on the bus, etc.). Whether any actual learning is taking place is very debatable.
Ehhh it’s a mix, the drive is there for some people but I think the pressure in school that people stereotype Asian countries with isn’t as true as people make it out to be. I have met plenty of Japanese people who have just kind of given up on education and have no interest in college in Japan. they also are some of the smartest people I know.
It REALLY depends on the school you’re at.
When I worked years ago at an Eikaiwa, we serviced an area with a highly ranked high school. Many students were shooting for top 20 schools. They were dedicated, asked questions, and were a pleasure to teach.
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Now, I teach at a much lower ranked university. While some students are dedicated, the vast majority would rather not be there. They expect to be able to sleep through class, or miss all the major assignments and still somehow pass. And some universities push instructors to pass them.