On November 9th three students visited the Dongguk Post for an interview concerning their native country’s education systems. From China was Li-lei, from Japan Shim Ga-Na(Dept. education) and from Korea Sung Min-Kyeong(Dept. education). We talked about the differences and commonalities of our three education systems. The first question was "How's the atmosphere of the classes?"

Q. How is the atmosphere on class of middle school&high school?"

Q. How is the atmosphere on class of middle school&high school?"
Min-Kyeong: In Korea, the ambience of middle school is generally lively and joyful. There are not only many classes where genuine knowledge can be acquired but also a lot of classes like art, physical education and music. Students can gain experience in various activities like badminton, basketball, still-life painting and vocal training. In high school, however, there are many hard classes and students spend most of their days in school.

 Li-lei: In China, it is similar to Korea, but we spend even more time in school. I was in school from 5:30 to 9:30. I went to the school in the dark of morning and I came home from in the dark of night. (Laughed) Most classes were also about conveying practical knowledge. (Min-Kyeong: Were students dissatisfied?) Nope. All the students simply accepted this situation and studied hard.
Ga-Na: In Japan, students are assigned to schools according to an exam grade. Therefore, there are disparities between high-ranking students and low-ranking students. The mood of the class is different in each place. The atmosphere in some classes is good but not in others.

Q. How close are teachers and students?
Min-Kyeong: Each class has about 30 to 35 students so we have few opportunities to communicate with the teacher. We only have simple conversations with them at the morning assembly and at the day-end assembly and counsel.
Li-lei: Unlike Korea, we have about 80 students in a class so students rarely talk with their teacher.

Q. What is the method teachers used if there was friction between a teacher and a student?
Min-Kyeong: Normally corporal punishment is allowed and teachers will a hit student's palms with a ruler or have them write apology letters. Depending on the level of fault, different punishments would be used.
Le-lei: In China, the prestige of teachers is more authoritative than other countries, but students don't suffer corporal punishment frequently. We are pretty similar to Korea.
Ga-Na: In Japan, there is little punishment. We don't have a law banning physical punishment but we do try to avoid punishment to earn social recognition. High school counselors visit every school once a week and teachers can receive help from the counselor if it is needed.

Q. What do you think about corporal punishment?
Min-Kyeong: A large majority of people support proper punishment, but is important that students’ human rights are not infringed upon. There are many people who still agree with hard punishment and I think the law that bans physical punishment should be issued gradually.
Li-lei: Although there is a law banning physical punishment in China, teachers and students don't care about the law. In general, China is similar to Korea.
Ga-Na: Even if there isn't a law that bans physical punishment we believe that teachers shouldn't inflict corporal punishment on their students because abuse isn’t accepted socially in our society. Because of this teachers do not touch their students. This leads to some problems when there are difficult situations.

Q. What is another method of discipline besides corporal punishment?

Li-lei : It is not good way. I think it needs for school. The best way would be counseling but it is ideal means. So commonsensical corporal punishment is appropriate in reality of educational environment. But teachers and students take the steady step toward 'Ideal educational environment'.
Ga-na : I agree Li-lei's view. Additionally corporal punishment is required in reality. But it must not become coaching method for students.