Malaysian Culture Essay

Improved Essays
Muhammad ShafiqRuzaineMohd Rahim, u0992040
The differences between Malaysian and American classrooms
Studying in a foreign country is hard like untangling knotted cords. As an international student, I realize that the classroom environment is completely unlike learning in my homeland. This is because there are different education practices in the society. A professor of education, Rycik claimed in his article “They are communities that are nested inside a larger society and influenced by the social structures and values of that society. Each school is, moreover, a subculture that is shaped” (Rycik, 2014). From my observation as a Malaysian who takes courses in America, both countries vary in learning method, student’s manner and interaction
…show more content…
The attitude shown by Malaysian culture is they concentrate to the lecture. It is a submissive schooling since they follow order and instruction from teachers. Moreover, Malaysia which follows most of the Asian countries has controlled classroom because the students are educated with courtesy and they need to be quiet (“California Department of Education”, 1986). Meanwhile, in American institutions, undergraduates are highly encouraged to participate in the class. They are allowed to speak up anytime they want during the lecture period. In other words,they have the freedom to study in their own way. Also, American lecture room is more informal where there is a lot of conversation among students and lecturers and there are also group activities such as active discussion and collaborative project assignment (Park, 1995). Thus, it could be obviously seen that both countries have contrasting …show more content…
In Malaysia, students are responsible to call their lecturer with honorable title such as professor, doctor, or madam when they are having academic conversation. In addition, the ethos shown does not only apply during the academic period, but every time they interact with their teachers. The title is important as it indicates the academic level between the professor and student. The role of the teacher in the class is powerful as most Malaysians demonstrate great respect (Yong, 2010). In contrast, student in America are allowed to call their educator by the first name without any high social status title and this eventually create a friendly discussion in the class. It is because American seminar room considers that participation from student is vital in order for them to have a better understanding in a certain course. As well, it also reveals to the instructor the homework problems faced by student.Teacher-student relationship is significant that it interests student to learn, builds cooperation, improves learner’s accomplishment and inspires them to succeed (Jill & Joy, 2009).These two principles clearly distinguish the educational interaction between in Malaysia and

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Countless controversy over ability grouping has been around in communities all over the world, for over the three decades. Especially, there has been a serious issues involving segregation and inequity with the mask of ability grouping on the surface in the United States, such as race and social status. In the news article, “Sorting kids at school: the return of ability grouping,” the reporter Celia R. Baker (2013) quotes the University of South Carolina law professor, Derek Black, who mentions that “tracking and grouping provided a convenient excuse to separate students within schools, ostensibly by ability” in the mid-20th century United States and “even when teachers have the best intentions, perceptions about student ability are not objective” ().…

    • 266 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Most continents have foreign teachers that cannot be understood by the native student. The misunderstanding between the cultures causes some culture differences. In this paper…

    • 1059 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Twenty five strangers sit in a room together with the purpose of learning a difficult subject. Is the best way to do this with a lecture? There is a problem with communication in college. Every student learns differently, but research has shown that when students are more involved and participate grades are remarkably better. To some professors warming up the classroom is seen as time wasting others.…

    • 490 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Nacirema Culture Essay

    • 1166 Words
    • 5 Pages

    After reading the article on the Nacirema people and their culture, I felt that they are a materialistic society. The article describes their experience with the medical system as more of a cosmetic approach. The rituals that they passed down to their children, show that appearance is of high importance in their culture. The most valuable place for the Nacirema people to spend their time, is the shine which includes the chest full of charms and the font. As a whole, the Nacirema people are excessively proud with their appearance and they use this to calculate how many relationships they hold with others.…

    • 1166 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Heritage By Amy Tan Essay

    • 813 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In the passage written by Amy Tan the author uses adjectives and feelings to reveal that an embarrassing experience in her youth changed her perspective of her heritage by showing how proud she was of her heritage. One time she was embarrassed, was when her family was licking the ends of their spoons in front of the minister family. She was embarrassed because most families in america have good table manners. Her family did not have the same table manners as the minsters family. The minister family was waiting for plates to be passed around at the table.…

    • 813 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Asian Pacific culture in America covers a large demographic and includes many different ethnic groups. The ethnic groups that are included with the Asian Pacific culture include Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese (Asian Nation, n.d.). As of 2008 the Asian Pacific culture in America made up about 5% of the population, but is still one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the U.S. (Asian Nation, n.d.). The increase in the Asian American population has led to cities setting up community centers to aid the Asian population. The Asian Pacific Development Center is one of those centers and will be the focus of this…

    • 1002 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Also, In the way of teaching and dealing with students. The study in Iraq in general are not loggerheads about studying in America, but the educational system in Iraq needs modern scientific methods and styles, due to a number of situations suffered by Iraq over thirty years. In addition, there are participants between the American and Iraqi people in various social and moral matters and some customs and traditions practiced by people in their personal behavior, such as respect for the stranger, to help him and to welcome…

    • 796 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Olmec Culture Essay

    • 431 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Olmec civilization The Olmec’s were the first known civilizations in Mesoamerica and had numerous incredible achievements. The Olmec tribe had a fascinating culture which would, therefore, have a lasting on the later tribes and civilizations such as the Aztecs, and the Mayans. The Olmec’s had copious significant accomplishments that would, furthermore, leave a substantial influence on all of Mesoamerica for centuries to come. The multitude of achievements made by the Olmec’s were some of the earliest known feats accomplished in their area.…

    • 431 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Cultural Abilities

    • 864 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The article I chose to critique is titled, “Promoting Social and Cultural Competence for Students from Diverse Backgrounds with Disabilities”, written by Beatrice Adera and Maria L. Manning (2014) and published in the journal of Multicultural Learning and Teaching, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp 67-82. Summary of the Article “Promoting Social and Cultural Competence for Students from Diverse Backgrounds with Disabilities” (Adera and Manning, 2014) examines social interaction, social competence, and cultural competence in school aged children with diverse backgrounds and disabilities. Also, the article suggests important strategies the classroom teacher can implement to increase social and emotional behaviors within the classroom, as well as, the community.…

    • 864 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Palomar College

    • 894 Words
    • 4 Pages

    However, while there is a similarity in the courses many of the students take, there is a huge disparity when it comes to behavior. Within many international students who are here for two years,…

    • 894 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Family Values: An Immigrant Teacher’s Story In the Educational Leadership article entitled Family Values: An Immigrant Teacher’s Story by Abigail Akosua Kayser the author states that, “From childhood, my parents along with extended family and neighbors in Ghana, had shared dreams of wanting their children to live better lives than they had. Education was the key to attaining this goal, and America was a place where it could happen.” At age sixteen, Abigail immigrated to the United States from Ghana, a country in the Western region of Africa.…

    • 501 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Asian American Stereotypes

    • 1074 Words
    • 5 Pages

    ASIAN AMERICANS Cultural and ethnic identity of Asian students may clash with the American school system due to their beliefs that it is important to work together as a group and maintain an allegiance to their family. The American school system tends to give emphasis to individualism and a healthy competition between students. An Asian student will no doubt see that their ability to do well in school as a duty that they have to help maintain the family structure and failure to do well in school can result in stricter parenting styles at home. Asian children are taught from a very early age to respect those in authority, have a sense of responsibility toward their family members, and to maintain self-control.…

    • 1074 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Mayland Essay Questions

    • 171 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Mayland explains to the readers that there are duties and rights between students and teachers in college. These words, Duties and rights, some students may feel difficult to understand because they are many abstract words. Also, students cannot do the same way as Mayland suggestion, “to take an active part in his or her own education. ”(Mayland 1-18) , because of the explanation with these complicated words. The most important part of studying seems to get better scores or grades.…

    • 171 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    My reflection: I have lived in India till 22 and moved to USA after finishing my bachelor’s degree. I respect Indian culture and I try to follow Indian customs. I always thought my values reflect Indian culture before coming to the class. When I initially came to US from India, I found many differences between both the cultures and I needed time to adjust to the customs and practices in USA. In India, Salutation is very important while addressing people.…

    • 1572 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Filipino Culture Essay

    • 2183 Words
    • 9 Pages

    The Philippines have been colonized by the Spaniards and the Americans for centuries, and these two cultures have had a significant impact on the Filipino culture and their identity. Martin and Nakayama note Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck research on cultural values claims that, “Values are the most deeply felt beliefs shared by a cultural group; they reflect a shared perception of what ought to be, and not what is” (p. 99). The Filipinos culture has had influences from civilization prior to the Spanish occupation, Spanish colonization, and American society. Oreiro (2014) mentions, “Unlike many others within the Pan-Asian grouping, Filipinos have the distinction of being the only groups of immigrants to come from an American colony” (p. 6). In order…

    • 2183 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Improved Essays

Related Topics