Sharing Opinions
Did you know
Many Chinese students are reluctant to share ideas and opinions, especially those that run contrary to those of their professors and classmates?
This is because they do not want to insult their teachers, who are the ultimate authority in the classroom, and they value preserving the harmony of the group.
Chinese students are taught not to question their parents or teachers. As a result, Chinese classrooms tend to be very quiet.
At American universities, they are often surprised at the active nature of lessons, where students openly challenge their professors and classmates.
Group work is even more challenging for Chinese students as they have a strong desire to preserve group harmony, while trying to share their ideas without interrupting, which is perceived to be very rude.
How can you help?
Explain that everyone’s ideas are welcomed and valued.
Ensure that all group members have an opportunity to speak.
A student’s perspective
“I used to hesitate to argue against group member’s opinions, because I did not want to appear unfriendly or for them to get angry with me. When I saw they had a point that seemed better than mine, I gave up my ideas. However, others thought I didn’t make enough contributions. I learned that respectfully disagreeing in American classrooms helps everyone learn more about the topic and actually teaches you about each other. In China, harmony is important. Here, sharing your ideas and listening to others is important.”
