Education in China

It’s been proved time and again that Chinese students can always stand out of foreign students in all kinds of exams, home and aboard. How did they do it? You might be wondering what the education is like in China and what kinds of schools a Chinese student goes to. Now we will take a look at the Chinese education system and learn useful words related to “schools”.

Despite that technology has made online classes possible, most people in China go to schools to receive education. Before school age, young kids will go to
two-year or three-year Kindergartens - 幼儿园 (yòu ér yuán).

After that, they will go through a nine-year compulsory education, which is a state-run system of public education in China. All kids, when reaching a proper age (usually 6 or 7), must attend school for at least nine years. The nine-year compulsory education includes:

six years in Primary School - 小学 (xiǎo xué)

and three years in Middle School - 初中 (chū zhōnɡ).

After compulsory education, a small part of students will to
skill-training schools - 技校 (jì xiào),

hoping to get a specially-trained skill with which they can make a living in the society.

A large part of students will choose (or are expected by their parents) to receive further academic education, which include:

three years in High School - 高中 (ɡāo zhōnɡ)

and four years University - 大学 (dà xué).

With the talent competition becoming increasingly tense, more and more graduates - 毕业生 (bì yè shēnɡ) will want to study for another 2 or 3 years to become a post-graduate - 研究生 (yán jiū shēnɡ).

More higher degrees of education are:

Doctor - 博士 (bó shì)

Post-doctor博士后 (bó shì hòu)

On their “ways” to schools, Chinese students undergo regular school examinations, but 高考(Gaokao), or the Chinese College Entrance Examination is the most important one. Gaokao is seen as a make-or-break opportunity, especially for those from poorer families, in a country where a degree is essential for a good job.

Just like American students will take prep courses for SAT 2 Chinese, most Chinese students will attend 补习班 (bǔ xí bān), or the “extra academic classes” in the evening and on weekends.

These classes offer additional training in various subjects such as Chinese, English, science, mathematics, etc, usually in a one-on-one session.