Education
Church Schools or Home Schooling? Part 1
In September, the mainland site Christian Times published a piece originally posted on the China Home Schooling Alliance website about Christian education in China. In the article titled “Church Schools or Home Schooling?”, the author lays out what he believes to be the difference between Christian education conducted within a church setting and home schooling. He then sets out to argue that home schooling is the most effective way for Christians to educate their children.
The Dream of a Beijing Father and Educator
My son was accepted by Peking University this year. We are very happy with his success, but as a caring, loving father, I know how much my son struggled and was pushed by the educational system in his early school years. Growing up in today's Chinese educational system is not easy or pleasant. Many of my son's friends were greatly disappointed when they were not accepted by a "good" university after so many years of working hard together with their parents. Tragically some students choose suicide to express their disappointment.
The Evolution of Christian Education in China
Our family lived in a tier one city in China for over five years, and during that time I homeschooled our children of various ages. While there I had the opportunity to mentor some Chinese homeschooling mothers, both one-on-one and in workshop settings. I also enjoyed teaching a session to Chinese Christian teacher-trainees on how to develop picture books into unit studies, and my older daughters and I had some experience teaching English at a bilingual Christian pre-school.
On the Horns of an Educational Dilemma
American Christian parents face tough decisions about to how to best provide for their children’s education. But the toughest part is often deciding between a comparatively rich supply of good and legal options – local Christian schools, homeschooling (with a nearly overwhelming array of good curriculum and models), co-ops, hybrid homeschool/co-op, on-line Christian school, sometimes a good public school influenced by Christian teachers and administrators. All these choices offer their children a quality education and a clear path into college and the workplace.
Consider the two basic choices facing Chinese Christian parents.
Book Reviews
Eastern Versus Western Learning Approaches
Book Review
Cultural Foundations of Learning: East and West by Jin Li.
Reviewed by Lisa Nagle
There are deep cultural differences between Eastern and Western societies regarding learning and development. The notion of whether creativity is learned or not is just one of these. This book explores some of the differing approaches to learning found in these cultures and concludes with a look at them in the twenty-first century.
Peoples of China
Studying in America
Challenges, Differences and Outcomes
The author talks about his experiences as an international student from China who came to the U.S. to study in high school. He tells us of the challenges he faced and the sacrifices his parents made. He points out major differences between the two cultures and shares with us how the experience has changed him.
Supporting Article
Ministering to Chinese International High Schoolers in the U.S.
Guarding Their Souls
When teens move to a new country, going from east to west and from the familiar to the unfamiliar, they face tremendous pressures in addition to the challenges of their young lives. Who will care for and guide them during the days of transition? Chen examines how schools, host parents, churches and Christian organizations can ease the pressures, make the transition easier and introduce them to the gospel.
View From the Wall
China’s Christian Education Today
View from the Wall
In today's China, Christian education is booming. This article looks at the emergence of this movement, the involvement of Christian churches, parents' perspective of it and their role in it. An overview of the current situation includes home schooling, legal aspects and the influence of a market economy upon it.
Supporting Article
Caring for Chinese Teenagers in American High Schools
The high school principal of a Christian school, Kuder shares from her experience as an increasing number of international Chinese students attend the school. She candidly discusses preparations, support and changes the school implemented to establish a high rate of student retention.