This is the second part series of 10 differences between Canadian teachers and Malaysian teachers.

Difference #6 Malaysian: Everything is about exam; Canadian: Everything is all about learning, learning to survive in this competitive world.

Malaysian education hardly goes by daily without teachers mentioning the word “exam”. Yes, everything is about exam. The purpose of coming to school is to face examination. Other topics that interest you, but are not part of the examination, will be unfairly consigned to the what-I-call the irrelevant-bin. In a classroom conducted by Canadian teachers, there is absolutely no obsession with exams, although the students are subjected to a test at the end of the semester. It is all about learning, learning to survive in this world, and they definitely understood that learning is not at all for examination, and that learning does not stop after major and important examinations.

Difference #7 Malaysian: There is no such thing as after-class-guidance; Canadian: See me in my office after class, if you have any problems.

Malaysian teachers have to go straight home after school to manage their tuition centers, for instance. In fact, my personal observations showed that Malaysian teachers are not keen on providing help and aid to students after class. It shrieked “burden” to them, so darn piercing that it makes student like me felt utterly frustrated. Conversely, Canadian teachers are more committed and more willing to help you after class. And the best part of it is, even if you feel really sorry for taking the teacher’s time by giving him or her extra obligations, the teacher will immediately assure you that you are not causing any trouble at all. I was asking my English teacher Miss Elizabeth Ford to assess my rewritten essay the other day, as I did not obtain a desirable mark. I apologized continually thereafter for the extra work, and she was quick enough to give me a pleasant assurance that she is more than willing to reassess my work. And this really made a student like me feel a lot better.

Difference #8 Malaysian: Homework is a must; Canadian: Homework is sometimes optional, but if given, it will quality-focused than quantity-focused.

In Malaysian schools, hardly one day goes by without homework. In Canadian classroom, homework is substantially lesser, but it is always the quality of the work done that matters, never the quantity.

Difference #9 Malaysian: Speed is everything ; Canadian: Speed? Why the rush?

The mad rush to complete syllables in Malaysian schools is so pervasive, that nobody really cares if you understand a particular topic or you don’t. Speed is everything. The faster you learn, the better it is. On the contrary, the concept of learning by Canadian teachers is to learn at a slow pace, and the main aim is to make sure everybody is able to comprehend a particular topic.

Difference #10 Malaysian: They are only teachers; Canadian: They can be more than just a teacher to you.

When Canadian teachers are willing to talk about other academically-irrelevant stuffs with you, you can be sure that they are more than just teachers. Even an expository essay on persuading young people to vote, can be assessed and marked with personal comments and responses by the teacher (This teacher of mine has sheer interest in political science by the way). Personal problems can be a topic of discussion between teachers and students, too.

These differences can be extended to be the differences between Asian teachers and Western teachers. Want to further your education? I personally will go for western teachers. How about you?