Question

In a classroom in any country, the teacher teaches more than art or history or language. He or she teaches what is known as the “hidden course” ---the culture（文化）of that country.

In a society such as the United States, people with different history, culture and language join together and think highly of individualism（个人主义）. Their education as a part of the society（社会）, also think of this greatly. Teachers try to make each student special. Students do not have to remember a lot of information; instead , they work alone and find answers by themselves. There is often a discussion in the classroom. At an early age students learn to have their own ideas. Their education encourages personal thought. The importance is put on how to arrive at an answer and not simply to get the correct answer.

In most Asian countries, the people have the same languages, history, and culture. Perhaps for this reason, the education there shows society’s ideas in group goals rather than individualism. Children in China and Japan often work together and help each other on homework. In the classroom, the teacher often teaches in a public way. He says, and the students listen. There is not much discussion. Instead, the students repeat rules or information that they have been taught in order to keep them in mind.

In many ways these differences come from different educational psychology（教育心理学）. In Western countries teachers make it easier for the students to learn for themselves. In the Eastern, however, teachers often feel that their job is to pass knowledge to students, or the students can’t learn anything.

1.What is the “hidden course” according to the passage?

2.What do American teachers do in class?

3.What do Asian teachers do in class?

4.What’s the main difference in education between the East and the West?

5.What do you think the proper title for the passage is?

Answer 1