teaching asian children

[mcdiddy1]

Hi have you noticed a large cultural difference in the behaviors of Asian children in the classroom. While often they are often the most intelligent kids in the room, many times they seem very reserved,shy and withdrawn. I know personally many that are not that way at all in the least but majority of the children I deal with have that trait. What do you feel the reason of this is? Have you had experiences with teaching Asian children?

[pies]

My guess is strict parenting and a culture that highly values education.

[oxy60]

Could it be that you are measuring against a different yardstick? Are the Asians behaving the way you would prefer?

[mcdiddy1]

The only yardstick I measure them to is to other kids. Most of the kids are pretty chatty and very socialable in lessons but for some reason I have notice that Asians tend to be on the shy side. I would prefer that they would feel more comfortable and socialable but I honestly wonder if it is because I dont understand the culture or me personally

[quantum]

What is to say because they are quiet that they do not enjoy as much as more chatty kids.  Ask them if they enjoy their lessons. 

I don't think personality traits would be in direct proportion to a person's enjoyability of a lesson. 

[nanabush]

Two of my students are Chinese - a mom and a daughter.  The girl turned 6 in December, and is playing comfortably at a grade 2 level.  I have a lot of beginners who progress slowly because their parents have them in 20 different activities, but this girl does dance and figure skating, and is doing really well    she enjoys her lessons, as does her mom.  The mom mostly wanted to learn so that she could make sure her daughter was practicing fine at home, but really enjoys the lessons.

I have a bunch of 7-9 year olds who have the attention span of a fly, and half of them sit on their ass all day playing video games.  She is doing 30-60 minute lessons a week (depending if the mom decides to take the other 30 minutes or let her daughter to an hour), and is focused the entire time.  

This girl is doing really well in school, has a good group of friends according to her mom, and is doing some other activities.  She never seems exhausted in the lesson, and is genuinely a pleasant kid.  The mom actually says that she does not want her daughter progressing too quickly; I am letting her play a lot of stuff that she enjoys (Disney, Hannah Montana ugh, etc) and am using the RCM books to expose her to classical music.

Definitely one of my favorite students to teach!  There are two girls in her class at school who I also teach who are spoiled brats, never practice, and their parents are pretty rude.  I just think that her parents care enough to spend 15 minutes a day with her on stuff she is having trouble with, and are encouraging her to do lots of different things, all the while not overwhelming her.  

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I did fill in for a teacher once 2 years ago and taught two Asian girls back to back.  Both mothers flat out said they did not want a male teacher before the lesson, before I even set foot in the building.  We told them that I had to fill in because the teacher is too busy to do makeups, so they agreed.  The first girl was shy, but was very good (she was 7 I think).  The problem was that the mother, who had no musical background, was asking me to explain to the mother what the symbols meant, why the V7 was a V7, why there's phrasing, etc, etc.  Her eyes glazed over the minute I said "chord".  There is only so much explanation you can give on stuff like that to someone with zero musical background, without spending 20 minutes giving the basics.  I didn't want to take up the lesson defining this stuff to the mom while the girl sat there, so I gave very basic explanations - the mom obviously thought that was inadequate.  I can't give a doctoral thesis on phrasing and chords in 30 seconds 

The next girl was 3 or 4, and the mom had her for hour lessons.  Need I say more?  She was not focused, could barely read, let alone say the first seven letters of the alphabet, but the mother was asking why I wasn't teaching her daughter theory to go with the music.  

Those two mothers were flat out b*tches; they each put me on the spot for the entire 2 hours I was teaching, were already angry because I was a guy, and had me answering ridiculous questions equivalent to me asking an engineer what all the math symbols mean... by the end of that day I slapped my palm into my face and let out a huge sigh of relief.


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That being said, I've seen two pretty big extremes in my experience teaching Asian students.  Each was completely different from one another, and I am very lucky that the one that is my permanent student is a very nice kid with caring parents.  I don't have the patience to teach when every 3 seconds the parents' interrupting with complete nonsense.  I can say that I had a predetermined mindset based on the two students, but the girl that I got this year completely changed it  

[Bob]

I may be off and I don't mean to generalize.  I think the asian culture has more of a repsect for authority element.  Deference to authority, don't question the governement, etc., that type of thing.  Preference for blending in and not creating waves. 

Unlike the American "speak your mind," be bold, be a pioneer spirit.  Individual freedom.

Maybe the asian culture pioneers as a group?

And then in music, I've gotten the impression a pianist with an asian background may lack passion.  Hard working, technique there, but no real feeling of the music.

For school, my understanding is that the teacher is the respected authority figure and is not questioned.  My view on the American perspective is that a teacher is a servant and parents are very free about demanding things.

That's just my impression of things and generalizations.  I suppose for the quietness, part of that could be a difference in cultures.  Same for the cause -- culture.  But there are so many types of people around that it's not a strict rule.

[oxy60]

I'm reluctant to generalize about any ethnic group. In any population, even of one ethnic background, you will have different behaviors. From one classroom to the next, quiet ones may become more social and vice verso. The bell curve is always in effect even when it comes to judging personalities. We didn't learn about it just to grade students.

[tds]

not creating waves. 

I've gotten the impression a pianist with an asian background may lack passion. 

OMG     

[tds]

I'm reluctant to generalize about any ethnic group.

ur wise, mate!

[kard]

I'm reluctant to generalize about any ethnic group. In any population, even of one ethnic background, you will have different behaviors. From one classroom to the next, quiet ones may become more social and vice verso. The bell curve is always in effect even when it comes to judging personalities. We didn't learn about it just to grade students.

[/quote]

ur wise, mate!

definitely wise.
sure, there are cultural differences, but you'd be better off asking the parents, the kids, or other asians close to either your circle or your students' range of activities...not to mention the huge amount of cultures that fall under 'asian'    . any sort of cross-cultural outreach is going to be challenging.

[braintist]

Asian is a very wide term, please specify the race , I guess you are refering to chinese, japanese or korean 

[jgallag]

Please, as the others have said, stop calling attention to race/culture. A) You're developing a prejudice about them whether you realize it or not, as each conversation and instance you encounter will only firmly cement your opinion in your mind, and B) there are plenty of kids with the traits you describe that aren't Asian. At least, I've got some of those traits, and I'm part Irish, German, Swedish, but certainly not Asian. It's how my sister and I were brought up. And besides, if you haven't already, since you are on the internet you are bound to offend somebody, and just because they don't reply doesn't mean they aren't offended. It does seem like our anonymity on the internet gives us more...security in sharing our opinions, but we must still be careful about what we say. Finally, at least the "Asians" I've met, are citizens of America, and would consider themselves Americans. While many certainly value their heritage, they don't want to be seen as less of an American.

Thank you.

[birba]

I think the fact that most americans ARE a mixture of many races makes them most sensitive to "racism".  I live in Europe and while it is true that prejudice does exist over here,   no one is sensitive about being referred to their race.  You're chinese, african, rumanian, etc. etc.  No embarassment involved.  That's just the way it is.  In fact, you're usually proud of coming from where you're from.  And there ARE definite traits pertaining to each race.  No embarassment.  Nothing to be ashamed of. Just the way it is.

[jgallag]

It's not so much being recognized by your race as it is the fact that people assume you must be a certain way because of it. Like "Oh, you're Irish! What's your favorite beer?" It is not recognition of race that's the problem, it's the connections we make between race and personality and lifestyle that are problems.

[mcdiddy1]

Since I was the originator or the post I just wanted to say that the question I asked wasn't intended to generalize an entire culture or support prejudice. It is my simply posing a question based on an observation. I dont mean to insult anyones culture but only to better understand cultural differences if there is any cultural differences.

[rgh55]

I have 5 Asian students who play very well and they are very quiet and reserved. I wish all of my students were Asian! They are the best behaved.  I started teaching Asian twins 6 months ago and they are already in the second level of Alfred. They are going into second grade.

[tds]

I wish all of my students were Asian!

till u find one like me when i was younger . hah, most of my teachers had a hard time  

[timothy42b]

Please, as the others have said, stop calling attention to race/culture.

Thank you.

To communicate effectively with someone else requires you to put at least some focus on the other, rather than yourself.  You need to consider what 9and how) they hear - rather than what you think you say.

Culture makes a difference.  Sorry, but you can't ignore it.  It doesn't make you racist to ask what approach might be more effective - it makes you a more dedicated teacher.  (Not that there aren't racists around - but noticing race or culture doesn't make you racist.  However politically correct it may be to pretend you don't.)

I would recommend reading "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell.  (hope I have the name right)  It's an interesting study of exceptional performers in various fields, and it includes a rational discussion of the effects of culture. 

[dora96]

It is the culture ! Asian students are more serious about learning and so are the parents.  I ask my daughter please practise your piano, she is in Grade 4, she needs at least practising for one hour. She always feels tired, can't focus. Most of the time, she has a headache, sore eyes. All sort of excuses ! In other way, she is so enthusiastic going out, shopping, watching TV and playing her DS .

You guys might think she is not interested in piano. She plays really well, but finding motivation learning any literature it is hard work. I try to explain to her we all need to make choices, right choice and willing scarify for 1 hour a day. In this world nothing will be given to us for free. When I look at outside, beautiful sunshine, air is warn and sky is blue. Honestly who want to sit inside and practise the piano. It is hard in Australia, such as care free Country. People are more interested in sport than academy.

However, most top pianist in Europe or they have name can't even pronoun. Their environment is cold or wet. People are more inside than outside. They are sitting inside, the choice is either studying, reading , playing instrument to kill the boredom.

I think parents are very important in kids' lives. If parents are passionate about learning and devoted, mostly kids will follow. it really doesn't matter what race they belong. I have some friends. they are Chinese. When they were young, their parents made them to learn the piano. Once they reached Grade 8 and they haven't touched the piano since. When I asked them do you think shame and what a pity that you don't play any more. Why ! Why!. The parents said they try their best to give the opportunity and vision for their kids. If their choice not to play the piano, they will respect that. They don't consider a waste.   

[oxy60]

We are involved in a very abstract art form. Not everyone connects with it. I did when I was very young but very few of my friends could understand my fasination. Everyone teaching young students should keep in mind that some will connect and others won't. We shouldn't take their disinterest personally.