What are the similarities and differences between teaching in Britain and China?
  As a teacher, I am extremely interested in exploring various teachers’ working conditions, incomings and their attitudes towards the job across the world. Although they share many similarities, major differences can be expected. Here’s a quick overview…..
STATE EDUCATION IN BRITAIN AND CHINA
Free  

    All state schools in Britain are free, providing their pupils with books and equipment.

   All state schools in China are free from primary school to senior high school, with books and equipment provided.
Compulsory    Nursery

Education in Britain is compulsory from 5-16 years. Parents can choose to send their children to a
nursery school or a pre–school play group to prepare them for the start of compulsory education.

China has adopted a nine-year compulsory from primary school to junior high school, which means all children are required to attend school at least for nine years. 

Primary

 Children in Britain start primary school at 5 and continue until they are 11. Most children are taught together. Boys and girls are in the same classroom.       

   Children in China start primary school at 6 or 7 and continue until they are 12. Boys and girls are in the same class.

Comprehensive   co-educational
     At 11 most pupils in Britain go to secondary schools called comprehensive whichs accept a wide range of children from all backgrounds and religious and ethnic groups. Ninety per cent of secondary schools in England, Scotland and Wales are co-educational.

     At 12 most pupils in China go to secondary schools including junior and senior high school. 

Exam

 GCSE         

   At 16 pupils in Britain take a national exam called ‘GCSE'(General Certificate of Secondary Education) and then they can leave school if they wish. This is the end of compulsory education.

Sixth form ‘A’ level 
    Some 16-year-olds in Britain continue their studies in the
sixth form at school or at a sixth form college. The sixth form prepares pupils for a national exam called ‘A’ level (Advanced Level) at 18. You need ‘A’ levels to enter a university.

Gao kao      tough but fair

 In Europe and America, there is the notion that Chinese schools produce automatons incapable of critical thought.Yet, where the Chinese model used to be criticised for rewarding rote learning, now the system’s gruelling schedule and supposed high standards are increasingly admired overseas, which gives hardworking students from poorer backgrounds a chance to rise to the top. In brief, it is tough but fair.
    The gaokao is made up of four three-hour: Chinese, English, maths and a choice of either sciences (biology, chemistry, physics ) or humanities (geography, history, politics). The questions are mostly multiple-choice or fill-in-the-gap, and are notoriously hard – the maths paper has been compared to university-level maths in the UK. But for many students, the most intimidating element is the essay in the Chinese exam. Prompts in 2015 included “Do butterfly wings have colours?” and “Who do you admire the most? 

Further education
     Students in both countries go a college of further education to study for more practical (vocational) diplomas relating to the world of work. Universities and colleges of higher education accept students with ‘A’ levels from 18 in Britain and with high marks from Gaokao. 

Finances: Salaries & Opportunities to Save 

Comparatively, teachers in the UK earn less than the annual UK average of $44,000 (£27,000), receiving just over $40,000 (£24,000). Salaries in Britain are high enough to provide a comfortable lifestyle for teachers, but they just usually are not able to throw money into a bank account to bring home like many teachers in Asia. 
The amount of money you can make teaching in China will depend on a number of factors.Generally speaking, yearly salaries teachers in China range from about 40,000RMB to 70,,000 RMB.
Even if your salary was at the lower end of the scale, you would still be earning more than the average local salary in most Chinese cities
Teachers in China can save quite a bit of money, typically 30% – 50% of their salary after monthly expenses.


Work Hours & Schedules

Teachers in China have to work a 45-hour work week and to work exclusively for one school or language center.

Teachers in England work an average of 40 hours per week in term time, eight hours more than the international of 38 hours. UK teachers spend less time in class and more time taken up on other tasks.
 

Teaching environment:  Classroom environment 

Lessons in China tend to be more lecture-based, with fewer group-based discussions so popular in Western education today. This is due to Chinese societal structures where respect is shown to elders and teachers.

In comparison, public schools in China can have up to 50 students in each classroom. However, more relaxing atmosphere and group activities are available.

Attitudes towards working as teachers
tough but worthwhile

To teachers from the two countries, the most satisfying aspect is involved in students’

 active participation and great progress. Whenever students spark their imagination and make good use of creativity, teachers will have a sense of fulfillment.

interviewing Nancy

By Erin     8^th November, 2018

https://youtu.be/0wwX_R0FleA

In terms of salary, the average annual salary is $46,720 in the UK in 2017.

The Top Highest Paying Jobs in the UK in 2017

The average annual salary is $8,000 to $15,000 in China in 2018.

The Top Five Paying Careers in China in 2018

From these two tables, it can be seen that in both countries,

Financial managers and pilots are on the list.

Especially pilots may be in urgent demand in both countries, making them highly paid for their jobs.

High salary is still one of the main concerns of job hunting and career pursuing. Otherwise, people can feel less secure. In an interview, Karen (a lady who used to be a nurse for more than 12 years and now has retired) said that some self-employed people, for example, people who deliver parcels can find it hard to make as much money as plumbers or electricians, therefore they have a great deal to worry about and are not so satisfied with their work. Dustmen earn the minimum salary and their working conditions are always not pleasing at all. Therefore, how much a person can own does have a great effect on his sense of security, sense of happiness and sense of achievement, his or her social and economic status as well. She also believes that how much a person can own largely depends on one’s education, experience, company, gender, and location as well.

However, a tour guide (Gerry), argued that he could not get a satisfactory salary as a travel guide. What he gets from the tour agency can hardly be equal to what he contributes to his job, but he likes his job, enjoys meeting people and travelling with them to explore something new. Though sometimes being a tour guide can be very tiring, challenging and demanding. As is often the case, people do their job just because they love it.

As for the working conditions and atmosphere, most people we have interviewed are satisfied. It can be very normal that sometimes people may feel bored and complain a little bit about something particular.

Concerning how to be qualified for a job, Karen stated experience could be a must. Training in certain kind of jobs, like becoming a nurse, is of essential importance. Of course, degrees, certificates and relevant tests are also needed.

In Karen’s opinion, nowadays it can be really difficult to classify what jobs will be most welcomed and what jobs will be least liked and respected. The choice of jobs depends more on individuals. More young people today in the UK prefer to learn psychology, not law or medicine as is commonly believed. But she does think that nowadays more male nurses are badly needed and gender still influences the planning of career.

It can be concluded that though new varieties of jobs appear to fit in the highly developing society and technology, high pay, promising outlook, true sense of security and pleasant working atmosphere still remain the decisive factors in affecting choosing a job. But interest and pleasure from just doing the work does also determine a person’s choice.

The salary of a bus driver

In UK, at entry level, a driver can expect to earn around £13,000 – £16,000 per year, depending on the location and industry you choose. As he develops his skills and experience, he can look for earnings to rise to around £16,000 – £22,000 per year. Many drivers are allowed to take on a number of overtime hours, which could increase overall yearly income by an additional £2,000 – £5,000. In China, the salary ranges from £3,451 – £5,202 according to whether he is Entry Level or Senior Level. The average yearly income in China is £ 8,258.
The qualifications to be a driver
In UK, if one wants to be a bus driver, he should be an adult and also:
• at least two years’ experience
• pass two qualifications: the Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) license and the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC Driver)
• renew Bus Driving license every five years
While in China, an adult of course and he also should
• have at least five years’ experience after gaining EU driving license
• pass two qualifications: the Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) license and A1(coach bus license) or A3(city coach bus licence)
The benefits a driver can get:
• First Exclusives – Discounts on First UK rail and bus and over 3,000 offers on goods and services for the driver, his family and friends
• Pension –automatically join scheme and start building a pension pot
• Free life assurance – For all members of pension scheme
In China, the mainly benefits for a bus is endowment insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, employment injury insurance, maternity insurance and housing provident fund.
Does a driver enjoy his job?
In China, many bus driver complains about their job because of the long working hours and low pay. However, it seems things are different in UK.

What do they do in their daily life?
The police work to maintain order and make local communities safer, whether they are tiny rural villages or sprawling big cities. Officers investigate and try to prevent crime, as well as working to find the culprits of crimes that have already been committed.
Day-to-day duties will vary, but their responsibilities will generally include:
• Investigating crimes and arresting the perpetrators
• Interviewing witnesses and suspects
• Responding to emergency calls
• Going to court to give evidence
• Attending big events such as football matches to promote order

How to get qualified?
Although no formal qualifications are needed to start your career, you will need to pass a series of assessment tests before becoming trainee police officer. Assessments will be in areas such as mathematics, communication, reading and writing skills, and decision making. You will also need to pass basic physical fitness and health checks.
Giving talks at locations like schools to encourage police recruitment here are no formal educational requirements when it comes to entering police service, so you can join straight from sixth form or come to it later in life. However, you must have lived in Britain for three years, be over 18 and pass background and security tests.
Entry requirements
1.Be aged 18 or over.
2.Be a British or Commonwealth citizen, a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) citizen, or a foreign national with the right to stay and work in the UK for an indefinite period.

What do they think their job?

“I’ve heard lots of people say they couldn’t do my job, but I love it. The role is varied and every week is different. There are also lots of opportunities to have a chat with members of the public, which is ideal if you’re sociable like me. Of course, it can be dangerous and the shifts are sometimes tiring, but knowing I’m making a difference in my community makes it really worthwhile.”

What special features do they need?

A good Police Officer will be:
• Honest and responsible
• Confident with people from all walks of life
• Knowledgeable about the law
• Calm in a crisis – even a life-threatening one
• Excellent at communication
• Full of common sense
• Physically fit

What about their salary?

The starting salary for police constables in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is between £19,971 and £23,124, rising to £38,382 at the top of the scale – achievable after about seven years. In Scotland starting salaries are slightly higher at £24,204, rising to £38,001 after about ten years’ service.

Anyone can tell you a million things about what it means to go to medical school and pursue a career as a physician. But only you can decide if it is right for you. By using the tools in this video and gaining exposure, you will have a better idea if medicine is right for you.

Being a doctor is a difficult thing both in UK and in China. Being a doctor in China means you have a hustle and rustle life. You may be needed at midnight or even in Spring Festival time.