Education from a Global View
- Green Bay Area Mom
- Apr 15, 2024
- 3 min read
This post was sponsored by Lisa Bellile, M.S. Ed. at United We Learn
Education systems vary not just within the United States but also worldwide. The importance placed on homework, high-stakes testing, and parent/family involvement differs significantly from one country to another. Let’s take a brief exploration into the unique features of the educational systems in our country and some neighboring nations.
United States:
Wide range of educational institutions available for students to choose from
Opportunity to earn credits for post-secondary education while still in high school
Free and reduced lunch programs ensure nutrition and wellness for all students
Japan:
Focus on holistic education, addressing the needs of the whole child
Emphasis on academic knowledge, social and emotional learning, and physical development
Private funding plays a significant role in the educational system
Finland:
Only one standardized test in high school
Shorter school days, typically around 5 hours
Strong emphasis on art and sports in the curriculum
New Zealand:
Majority of students attend public schools due to the strong financial support from the country
Balanced approach to learning, combining academics with hands-on and practical experiences
School days are approximately running from 9am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday, with a year-round schedule consisting of 4 terms and 2-week breaks between terms; summer break from mid-December to the end of January
Book Spotlight
Do you seek adventure? Are you someone who finds themselves daydreaming about their next family vacation? In the book, Tripp the Tumbleweed’s Origin Story: Let’s Get Ready to Tumble, by Christy B. and Dr. III, Tripp, a Russian Thistle, is on a journey to visit all of the United States National Parks. Go sightseeing and learn as Tripp explores mountains, oceans, rivers, islands, deserts, big trees, volcanoes, and so much more! Plus, you’ll meet some amazing animal friends in each place that is visited.
The authors seek out elementary school students across the country to help Tripp decide what to do while at the parks. Because the students have helped Tripp, the authors and Tripp give back some of the money earned from the books to the students’ schools, plus non-profit associations supporting the national parks. Win-win for all!
Tripp’s Landing website includes:
learn about the authors
other Tripp books that highlight national parks
activities such as word search and Tripp-togram
information about characters/animals in the books
Lost in Translation: Words with Multiple Meanings
Words in different languages often take on varied meanings due to the intricacies of language, culture, and historical background. This can occur as languages evolve independently over time, leading to shifts in word semantics and the emergence of new connotations. Cultural influences and societal perspectives also shape language usage, resulting in distinct interpretations for certain words.
Moreover, the diverse human experiences across cultures contribute to the development of language, with words reflecting unique concepts and values specific to each cultural context. As a result, the multitude of meanings that words hold across languages showcases the rich diversity and complexity of human communication and expression.
Examples
English word: ‘fart’ means ‘speed’ in Norwegian | English word: ‘barf’ means ‘snow’ in Hindi |
English word: ‘gift’ means ‘poison’ in German | English conjunction: ‘but’ means ‘shoe’ in Polish |
English word: ‘brat’ means ‘brother’ in Russian | English slang: ‘lol’ means ‘fun’ in Dutch |
Take opportunities to learn and explore the world around you. Read a new book, cook an international meal, sing a song in another language, or engage in an activity that immerses you into someone else’s culture. Remember, !
Lisa J. Bellile LLC
Join: www.facebook.com/unitedwelearn1 Website: www.speakforthewin.com Contact: unitedwelearn1@gmail.com
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