Chinese Culture Interview

My friend, Tim, lives in California with his parents and six siblings. Of those six siblings, three were adopted from China. He went with his parents to China two of the three times to meet and adopt his new siblings. Although he is not Chinese, he does know some about their culture. I asked him some of the questions about the Chinese culture. His family strives hard to keep those three children interested and learning about their Chinese culture. They encourage them to learn Chinese as well as their cultures traditions. Here is what I got from the interview with Tim:

1. What is the main religious orientation? (What might this mean for teaching-learning relationships? What might this mean for teacher-student, student-student, adult-student, male-female relationship at school?).

The main religions of China are: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Christianity. These 5 religions are highly practiced in China and it really just depends on the family, their location, and how they were raised as far as what religion that they practice.

2. What are reasons for families to leave their home countries?

The main reason why people from China come to the United States is because there is more freedom in America. Coming to America gives them the freedom to work, practice the religion of their choice, get a better education, raise their family how they please, and many other freedoms. There are much more opportunities in America than there are in China.

3. What are the family dynamics? (What is the family decision making structure? Who should be contacted if needed at home?)

The parents are definitely in charge and the children never question their parents. The parents make the rules and decide what the child will and will not do. The children know to respect their parents and anyone who is in charge.

4. Are there strong overall cultural values that might make a difference in Western schools?

One huge difference is that Chinese value education and being successful more so than Americans. For example, Chinese children do not have the same play time, after school activities, sleepovers, and fun things like that that American children get to participate in. Their lives are a lot more strict and less fun. They just value different things than Americans do.

5. What are the general attitudes toward school and schooling?

Schooling in China is important. It is hard to get into a good “high school”.

6. What are some specific language features that might make a difference?

One example is that the Chinese alphabet it completely different from the alphabet that we use. For example, we have a sound for each letter unlike Chinese. In fact, we have letters and they have symbols, which are completely different.

7. Are there ways in which the teacher can be sensitive to cultural differences?

The teacher should understand that there are many differences and they should get to know the culture before they make judgments. For example, eye contact is normal in America, but not in China. The teacher may think the child is being disrespectful by not making eye contact, but really that is just how the Chinese culture is. There could be a lot of misunderstandings if the teacher does not understand the culture that the child is coming from.