By: Zain Shafique

On top of experiencing a totally new environment and studying towards our degree, we have to get to grips with a whole new educational system.

The teaching methods in the Indian subcontinent are very different to Canada and in this blog I will discuss how they are different.

Curriculum

In the Indian Sub-continent, there is a decent proportion of the private and public sector which follow the same curriculum as of many American or British schools, but the majority of the country follows their local curriculum, which is sometimes not that up-to mark.

Differences in teaching methods 

The teaching methods are way different if we compare them with up here in Canada.

The first major difference between the different educational systems, over there students are forced to memorize the entire course material which seems pretty burdened and sometimes frustrating for students.

However, over here the teachers follow the ‘break into sections’ approach, as I call it. They divide the same course material into different sections, which are composed of theories, practical work and critical thinking.

Education back home is more focused on learning the theoretical aspects, but in Canada teachers focus on practical approach and creativity of work. In short, the teaching style up here gives practical side of the education as much importance as it gives to the theoretical aspect. 

Differences in teaching style

If we talk more about the teaching style, I think teachers over here are friendlier. We usually don’t call our teachers back home by their names and we use ‘sir’, ‘madam’ or ‘mam’ instead. This is a sign of showing respect, but teachers over here prefer to be called by their first name – which is something really new and I like that as well.

The use of technology

Many schools in the Indian Sub-continent are not as technically and technologically well equipped, except in some particular communities. As a matter of fact, students don’t have that much access to the technology as compared to over here, but still somehow they are able to manage their work. Because of which, teachers are still following the traditional methods and ways of transferring the knowledge.

In conclusion

If we look and consider all the things, we will be coming to the conclusion that the sub-continental countries are still behind Canada or other Western countries, but somehow there are students and people from everywhere – like you guys – who are going out into the world and doing wonders.

Although the schools and government are definitely trying their best to improve the education system as much as they can. They have improved and are still doing a remarkable job in making the institutions better and preparing them for meeting the future challenges; labs are being upgraded, the curriculum is being revised and necessary changes are being made.

I am pretty hopeful that one day our countries will be at the same level as any other Western country on the world’s globe exists today.