Home-Tutoring

In Hong Kong it amazes me just how young the children are to start receiving home-tutoring. Education with the means to succeed over here is so evident, especially in comparison with the UK. At first this home-tutoring extra curriculum somewhat shocked me, and although I am still amazed each time I hear of it, I am actually starting to understand this cultural difference too. There are quite a lot of people in Hong Kong (7,026,400), which provides a high competitive aspect to the lifestyle. Individuals over here are more competitive, ambitious and determined, downsides to this however include; pushy, aggressive, fierce (at times) and unhelpful characteristics.

I am currently tutoring a two year old Chinese girl. Encouraging the use of the English language with the correct English pronunciation, building her confidence and establishing better concentration are the areas we work on together. At the age of two she is already on form to being fluent in Cantonese and English by the time she reaches her third birthday.

Since my move here I have witnessed first hand from the local children, a politeness towards their teachers, an admiration for elder children and a respect and support for the elderly. During my mum's visit to Hong Kong, she noticed how well behaved the children seemed to be, no swearing being shouted (although she wouldn't have been able to understand this), school uniforms worn in the correct way and children being children. This makes me think that maybe home-tutoring from a young age is not necessarily a bad thing. I know that my young student is so much more calmer, attentive and willing to take part now than she was originally. I walk through her door to be greeted with a huge smile and eagerness to learn... I can't help but compare this with children in the UK at the moment.