Study Compares HS Students in NE Asia, US

Japan’s Education Ministry yesterday released the results of a survey of 6,200 high school students in Korea, the U.S., China and Japan on their attitudes in class.

Conducted from spring to fall last year, the study found that 32.3 percent of Korean students admitted to frequently or occasionally dozing off in class, lower than the figure for Japanese students (45.1 percent). The corresponding figure for American students was 20.8 percent and that of Chinese students 4.7 percent.

In addition, 68.1 percent of Korean students said they write down what is said in class, lower than in Japan (93.1 percent), China (90.1 percent) and the U.S. (89.1 percent). In addition, 16.3 percent of Korean students said they actively participate in class, lower than that of the U.S. (51.5 percent) and Japan (46.2 percent).

By contrast, 45.8 percent of Japanese students and 59.4 percent of American students said they are absentminded in class. American students were found to be the most distracted in class: 64.2 percent said they socialize in class; 46.9 percent said they eat snacks in class; and 38.9 percent said they send e-mails or read unrelated books in class.

Chinese students were found to actively participate in class and conduct themselves well.

changkim@donga.com