European Schools V. American Schools
There are lots of differences in the educational systems of America and Europe. In this story, PCNN explains different ways that high school is different for people living in England and Germany
England has a system in place for Junior and Senior year called Sixth Form. With Sixth Form, students are able to omit general education classes and study topics that will prepare them for their future career. PCNN reporter Madison Walker argues “we spend (in America) four years on common core curriculum and a lot of us don’t use most of the subjects that we are learning throughout the rest of our lives.”
“When kids are [taking] just the specific classes that they take interest in and that think they want to pursue in their life, it’s setting them up for a better track to college and a future career”
— Madison Walker
PCNN interviewed Riccardo Lispi (an Italian transfer student at panther creek) who had this to say: “I think the most surprising thing that I’ve noticed and that American kids don’t know is that in Italy, you have the same classmates for [all] the periods and for 5 years of high school. You see the same students every year and every day”
***Answers have been translated from German
The school system in Germany differs a lot from the one used in America. The hours students spend at school are cut drastically shorter. When asked about his class time Moritz, a German Student said “70 minutes and 5 hours a day” while Tom, another students said “It’s different at every school. One day a week until 3:15 and other four days [until] 1:15”
Like Americans, many Germans take part in after school activities. Tom said “In the school I [am] in the school band but it gives other activities such as the canoeing club. Outside the school I play drums and soccer (I think its weird that almost all boys play in contrast to US soccer) also I sometimes [ride] BMX bike.” When asked if they had difficulties balancing schoolwork and after school activities, Mortiz commented “Yes, the school takes a lot of freetime [when] the classes in the afternoon ends” while Tom did not have as much extra time.
Tom’s questions for students studying in America included “What classes do you have? What kind of schools do you have? [and] How long do you have school?”
