U.S. and German teachers do not have the opportunities for rich, informal discussion and the chance to learn from each other and share questions about teaching-related issues that are characteristic of the Japanese teachers' environment. Algebra and geometry are studied by all Japanese and German eight graders, but in the U.S. they are reserved for students in higher tracks. Indeed, our eight grade math curriculum more closely resembles the seventh grade curriculum in Germany and generally mathematics instruction in the U.S. requires less sophisticated mathematics thinking than does instruction in Germany and Japan. The amount of homework time and TV watching appears similar for Japanese, American and German students. Furthermore, American teachers spend time in class not only going over homework but giving students time to work on the homework, which is not characteristic of Japanese teachers.
Japanese students have a strong cultural base for motivating attention to studies.
In addition to consequential examinations at the end of 9th grade, students' parents, teachers and friends support studying hard. Popular teen magazines run articles encouraging students to develop effective study programs. All rights reserved.