Study In Taiwan

What do students usually do after ten hours of study in school? The answers vary from countries to countries. For students from western nations, doing sport, going to creative art classes or
attending after school clubs are common activities that young learners participate in after class. However, the same cannot be said of Taiwanese pupils. Studying for the next five hours is simply the thing that elementary school students, junior high school students
and high school students do after their regular education in order to boost their academic score. Moreover, going to a cram school or a self-study center has become a daily schedule of young learners and an education culture in Taiwan. As an eighteen-year old college student, I am going to introduce some of the most peculiar education culture in this beautiful island in the following content.

What Is Nanyang Street

While taking about student life in Taipei, it is impossible to not mention Nanyang Street. Geographically, Nanyang Street is right next to Taipei Main Station. What makes it unique from other sites is thousands of Taiwanese students pour into this street to attend cram schools — private educational institutions — after regular education every weekday. In addition to the cram school, Nanyang Street is also known for the food. Students can easily stuff their stomach here with the cost no more than NT$80. Not only can people get the best deal here, the restaurant provides a wide variety of food choices, from local hawker food to international cuisine. Although the life at Nanyang Street is really convenient, there is a problem. Whenever it is time for dinner, numerous people get out from their office and classroom and wait in the long line to buy a meal. However, waiting in the queue doesn’t seem like a problem for those businessmen and students anymore. Instead, it turns out to be a time for them to have a chit chat with their friends while waiting for their meals.

Braised Pock Rice (NT$30)
Image by [ CNN ]

Cram School In Taiwan

Cram schools are called buxiban (補習班) in Taiwan. It mainly provides supplementary or test-preparation programs for young learners who are eager to raise their performance in academic subjects. According to a study, in 2001, there are roughly 6,000 registered cram schools in Taiwan, and the number has been growing rapidly since then. It is without a doubt that studying in a supplementary school is not only popular but also prevalent in Taiwan.

Why Are Cram Schools So Popular In Taiwan

 For people who have never attended a cram school, it might be confusing why this kind of institute is so popular here. In my point of view, the lessons and the extra practices provided are two reasons to explain this phenomenon. Instead of going to a class at school without any preparation, it is beneficial and advantageous for pupils to acquire knowledge at a cram school beforehand. Therefore, the opportunity to study a subject in depth is provided. Also, young learners are likely to feel less stressed and anxious about attending a class at the school. Moreover, numerous exercises are offered by the supplementary school. As the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.” It is for sure that students’ performance in academic subjects will be enhanced by daily drill.

 Life In Cram Schools

It is said by American that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. However, it is obvious that this proverb is not true in Taiwan. Young learners study hard day in day out in order to receive a remarkable school record. Parents assume that learning in the school is not enough for their children to compete with other talented students. In the cram school, supplementary or test-preparation programs are provided. It helps students gain entry to a better school by improving their abilities for taking tests on academic subjects, Also, it plays a much more diversified role in students’ daily lives recently. Students are able to gain extra skills in a cram school. Therefore, attending cram schools is an experience that the majority of Taiwanese have while growing up. Also, I am not an exception. When I was fourteen years old, I studied in a cram school next to my junior high school every day. In order to pass the entrance exam, I spent three hours studying extra lessons in the cram school every night. I was exhausted at the moment. However, in retrospect, I really appreciate those experience. Also, I believe that attending the cram school really helped me get a better score.