Adam Caller, founder of Tutors International, commented this week on the growing concern that Chinese students are being inadequately prepared for further education overseas, impacting prospects and quality of education.

According to a 2016 article in The Economist magazine [1], the number of Chinese students applying for coveted places at Western Universities quintupled in 2015, with students becoming increasingly frustrated by the militant and monotonous teaching and examination styles enforced by the Chinese government, and inspired by more liberal study programs overseas.

However, concerns remain that many of these students are arriving at top universities such as Harvard in the USA, unprepared and overwhelmed, resulting in underperformance and isolation.

Mr Caller commented: “The Chinese style of teaching and learning is so different that when they come to start their university placement in the West, they just can’t get the most out of the experience. We see Chinese students sticking together and not integrating socially because they’ve had no experience or prior preparation for the exploration and interaction that comes as standard with Western teaching. There is a great need for more Western tutors to provide a crossover for Chinese students who want to study in the UK or US.”

For Chinese students to cross-over entirely from the Chinese curriculum to a UK or US high school curriculum in advance, there is an element of risk. Once a student has made the transition, there is no way back. However, the flexibility of private tutoring means that families can opt to commit entirely with full-time one-to-one tutoring in their child’s desired curriculum, or take a lighter approach and supplement the Chinese curriculum with part-time or online sessions.

Mr Caller added: “It doesn’t have to be daunting for families. Part-time online tutoring is a good option here, as the time difference means that tutors can spend their mornings in the UK with Chinese students after school, reinforce and develop on the topics they have learned at school that day, ensure that they understood, and help with the language and social aspects of Western learning styles. Many students flourish after a complete change in curriculum, however, when the one to one attention from a full-time British or American tutor, living with the family in China opens the door to a liberal arts education and excellence in subjects that aren’t offered or explored to the level required in the traditional Chinese school setting. We would be happy to hear from Chinese families to explore all the options available and from schools who want to explore a cross-over East/West teaching style in the classroom.”

Tutors International has extensive experience in placing tutors with families all over the world, according to their individual needs and challenges. To find out more about the services offered by Tutors International, visit tutors-international.com.

Reference

[1] The Long March from China to The Ivies https://www.1843magazine.com/features/the-long-march-from-china-to-the-ivies Brook Larmer. The Economist 1843 Magazine. May 2016