Mandarin Monkey Podcast E04 - Education, Relationships & Tools
Aug 25, 2018
Discover the intense study culture in Taiwan, where students face grueling schedules leading to breakdowns. Explore the differences in educational systems compared to the West, including the pressure from parents pushing specific majors. Dive into the nuances of bilingual education and the impact of long work hours on family time. Tom and Ula share insights on marital dynamics, emphasizing the balance between children's needs and partner relationships. They tackle modern challenges like phone culture and the importance of real human connection.
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Choose Bilingual Education Strategically
- Choose a bilingual school if you want your child exposed to both English and Chinese daily.
- Prioritize learning traditional characters in Taiwan because they make simplified characters easier to learn later.
Long Days Fuel Exam-Focused Learning
- Taiwan's school days run long and cram school often extends the learning day into evening hours.
- This system prioritizes exam results over creative or leisurely activities, increasing student stress.
Student Breakdown From Overload
- Ula recounted a student breakdown in their cram school who threw chairs and refused to study.
- The student's mother blamed excessive pressure and homework for the collapse.