Skip to main content
Book cover

Chinese Education Models in a Global Age pp 37–49Cite as

Curriculum Reform and Education Policy Borrowing in China: Towards a Hybrid Model of Teaching

Part of the Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects book series (EDAP,volume 31)

Abstract

This chapter critically discusses the development and application of a model of education in China by focussing on recent curriculum reform in the country. Since the 1980s, Mainland China has launched a series of ambitious education reforms in its effort to revamp its basic education and prepare its graduates for the challenges of the twenty-first century. Major changes are evident in the school management, curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in Shanghai schools. Drawing upon Phillips and Ochs (2003)’ four stages of education policy borrowing, this article analyses the curriculum reform in China and argues that a hybrid model of education exists in China that combines foreign and local ideas and practices. Rather than wholesale policy borrowing from the West, the foreign ideas and practices are being internalised and indigenised in China as they interact with local traditions, values, ways of doing and actors.

Keywords

  • Hybrid Model
  • Curriculum Reform
  • Chinese Teacher
  • English Language Teaching
  • Chinese School

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-0330-1_3
  • Chapter length: 13 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-981-10-0330-1
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • An, S. H. (2004). Capturing the Chinese way of teaching: The learning-questioning and learning-reviewing instructional model. In L.-H. Fan, N.-Y. Wong, J.-F. Cai, & S.-Q. Li (Eds.), How Chinese learn mathematics: Perspectives from insiders (pp. 462–482). Singapore: World Scientific.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Chou, P., & Ching, G. (2012). Taiwan education at the crossroad: When globalization meets localization. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, T., Lisheng, D., & Painter, M. (2008). Administrative reform in China’s central government – How much ’learning from the west’? International Review of Administrative Sciences, 74(3), 351–371.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Deng, Z. Y. (2011). Curriculum making in the new curriculum reform: Structure, process and meaning. In H.-B. Yin & J. C.-K. Lee (Eds.), Curriculum reform in China: Changes and challenges (pp. 31–46). New York: Nova Science.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao, L., & Watkins, D. A. (2001). Identifying and assessing the conceptions of teaching of secondary school physics teachers in China. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 71(3), 443–469.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Gu, L. Y., Huang, R. J., & Marton, F. (2004). Teaching with variation: A Chinese way of promoting effective mathematics learning. In L.-H. Fan, N.-Y. Wong, J.-F. Cai, & S.-Q. Li (Eds.), How Chinese learn mathematics: Perspectives from insiders (pp. 309–347). Singapore: World Scientific.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, J. (2000). Centralisation, decentralisation, recentralisation: Educational reform in China. Journal of Educational Administration, 38(5), 442–454.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, G. (2005). English language education in China: Policies, progress and problems. Language Policy, 4, 5–24.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, R. J., & Leung, K. S. F. (2004). Cracking the paradox of Chinese learners: Looking into the mathematics classrooms in Hong Kong and Shanghai. In L.-H. Fan, N.-Y. Wong, J.-F. Cai, & S.-Q. Li (Eds.), How Chinese learn mathematics: Perspectives from insiders (pp. 348–381). Singapore: World Scientific.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Jin, L., & Cortazzi, M. (1998). Dimensions of dialogue: Large classes in China. International Journal of Educational Research, 29(8), 739–791.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Li, J. (2004). A Chinese cultural model of learning. In L.-H. Fan, N.-Y. Wong, J.-F. Cai, & S.-Q. Li (Eds.), How Chinese learn mathematics: Perspectives from insiders (pp. 124–156). Singapore: World Scientific.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Lingard, B. (2010). Policy borrowing, policy learning: Testing times in Australian schooling. Critical Studies in Education, 51(2), 129–147.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, N. (2009, October). Raising the capacity for classroom teaching and thinking – Discussing application of learning plan (in Chinese), Kegai tanjiu, pp. 78–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundvall, B.-A., & Tomlinson, M. (2002). International benchmarking as a policy learning tool. In M. J. Rodrigues (Ed.), The new knowledge economy in Europe: A strategy for international competitiveness and social cohesion. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Education. (2001). Notice of the Issuance of ‘Basic education curriculum reform programme (Trial)’ by the Ministry of Education (in Chinese). Available online at: http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2002/content_61386.htm. Accessed 12 Feb 2014.

  • Mok, K. H. (2003). Globalisation and higher education restructuring in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China. Higher Education Research and Development, 22(2), 117–129.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Morisihima, M. (1982). Why has Japan “succeeded”? Western technology and the Japanese ethos. New York: Cambridge University Press.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Naughton, B. (1993). Deng Xiaoping: The economist. The China Quarterly, 135(Sept), 491–514.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Niu, Q., & Wolff, M. (2003). The Chinglish syndrome: Do recent developments endanger the language policy of China? English Today, 19(4), 30–35.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, T. (2013, December 4). PISA education tests: Why Shanghai pupils are so special. The Telegraph, pp. 1–4. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10494678/PISA-education-tests-Why-Shanghai-pupils-are-so-special.html

  • Phillips, D., & Ochs, K. (2003). Processes of policy borrowing in education: Some explanatory and analytical devices. Comparative Education, 39(4), 451–461.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D., & Ochs, K. (2004). Researching policy borrowing: Some methodological challenges in comparative education. British Educational Research Journal, 30(6), 773–784.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Reyes, V. (2015). Mapping the terrain of education reform: Global trends and local responses in the Philippines. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sellar, S., & Lingard, B. (2013). Looking East: Shanghai, PISA 2009 and the reconstitution of reference societies in the global education policy field. Comparative Education, 49(4), 464–485.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Shanghai Academy of Educational Sciences. (2010). Organisation of the national education conference, Hu Jingtao and Wen Jiabao made important speeches, Guan Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jingping, Li Keqiang, Zhou Yongkang attended (in Chinese). http://www.cnsaes.org/homepage/html/resource/res02/841.html. Accessed 2 Mar 2012.

  • Sorensen, C. (1994). Success and education in South Korea. Comparative Education Review, 38(1), 10–35.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Spence, J. (1980). To change China: Western advisers in China. New York: Penguin.

    Google Scholar 

  • State Education Commission (SEC). (1994). The development and reform of education in China (pp. 1–53). Beijing: State Education Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, C. (2012). The culture of education policy making: Curriculum reform in Shanghai. Critical Studies in Education, 53(2), 153–167.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Tan, C. (2013). Learning from Shanghai: Lessons on achieving educational success. Dordrecht: Springer.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Tan, C. (2015). Education policy borrowing and cultural scripts for teaching in China. Comparative Education, 51(2), 196-211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, C. (in-press). Teacher-directed and learner-engaged: Exploring a Confucian conception of education. Ethics and Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, C. & Chua, C. S. K. (2015). Education policy borrowing in China: Has the West wind overpowered the East wind? Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 45(5), 686-704.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, C. (2016). Educational policy borrowing in China: Looking West or looking East? Oxon: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turbin, J. (2001). Policy borrowing: Lessons from European attempts to transfer training practices. International Journal of Training and Development, 5(2), 96–111.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, N.-Y. (2004). The CHC learner’s phenomenon: Its implications on mathematics education. In L.-H. Fan, N.-Y. Wong, J.-F. Cai, & S.-Q. Li (Eds.), How Chinese learn mathematics: Perspectives from insiders (pp. 503–534). Singapore: World Scientific.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, Y. A. (2001). English language teaching in China: Trends and challenges. TESOL Quarterly, 35, 191–194.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Ying, F. (1998). The transfer of Western management to China: Context, content and constraints. Management Learning, 29(2), 201–221.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    Charlene Tan

  2. University of New England, Armidale, Australia

    Vicente Reyes

Authors
  1. Charlene Tan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vicente Reyes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Charlene Tan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Education, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Chuing Prudence Chou

  2. International Doctoral Program in Asia-P, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Jonathan Spangler

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Tan, C., Reyes, V. (2016). Curriculum Reform and Education Policy Borrowing in China: Towards a Hybrid Model of Teaching. In: Chou, C., Spangler, J. (eds) Chinese Education Models in a Global Age. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 31. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0330-1_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0330-1_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-0328-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-0330-1

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)