Abstract: This paper gives ESL/EFL teachers or students insights into cultural differences between Chinese and American with special Reference to differences of classroom teachings in these two large countries. Many examples, collected through interviews and conferences, are provided to illustrate that Chinese classroom teaching is greatly influenced by Confucianism hierarchy and American classroom teaching by Egalitarianism. The main point of this research is that ESL/EFL teachers should carefully consider the different styles, behaviors and strategies of the students from different cultural backgrounds when preparing, teaching and evaluating their students. 1. Introduction When immersing themselves into a different culture, people are bound to run into customs and values which can cause some confusion. These differences can be small, such as a hand gesture, or big, such as sitting in a chair designated for someone else. Regardless of the situation, it is often difficult to reconcile the misunderstanding with specific examples from social and Educational contexts. This paper gives insights into the differences between Chinese and American cultures and specifically compares Chinese classroom teaching to American classroom teaching. This cultural comparison will show how Chinese classroom teaching is mainly influenced by Confucianism hierarchy and American classroom teaching is based on egalitarianism. Most of the examples in this paper are from interview data of four Chinese and two American students and scholars, most of whom have a wealth of experience teaching in different cultural backgrounds. This paper will provide examples of hierarchy and egalitarianism in both social and educational contexts; it will provide examples of what happens when Hierarchy and egalitarianism meet in the classroom; and the paper will provide recommendations for ESL/EFL teachers and students when they encounter each other in the classroom as well. 2. What Is Hierarchy Chinese society is built on the philosophical system of Confucianism. This system has influenced China for more than two thousand years and although it has changed a lot, it is still an integral part of society. “Among the Five Cardinal Relations described by Confucius, three, namely those between sovereign and subject, father and son, and an older and younger brother, are structured hierarchically.” (Chan, K. & Chan, C., 2017) In China hierarchy is referred to as “dengji”, which is an established rule governing relationship among people. The five main relationships are: father and son, ruler and subject, husband and wife, elder and younger brother and between friends. Each of these relationships puts an extreme importance on age and is part of all institutions: government, family, school and work. Each person has a certain role they are expected to play in each of these institutions. These roles in turn promote stability and harmony in the society. 3. Egalitarianism The American social system is based on egalitarianism, which is a fundamental American value and it essential part of the American Dream that anyone can be successful. Egalitarianism is a belief in human equality, especially with respect to social, political, and economic rights and privileges. According to this philosophy, people are entitled to be treated as equals regardless to status, including age. Egalitarianism is highly visible in the often quoted United States Declaration of Independence line，英语毕业论文，英语论文题目 |
