Why are kids from the Far East so good at Maths?

[scrummyyummy]

Are children from the Far East taught Maths in a different way and if so, which method do they use compared to children in the UK? Kids from Asia seem to be much better at Maths and kids in the UK tend to be frightened by Maths or just don't like the subject. Just wondering what techniques they used?

[saxy_jag]

Cynical old me says it's because they're bullied, threatened and brainwashed and don't have a real childhood at all.

[McMouse]

They know that education is a route out of poverty. A life on benefits is not available to them.

[abstibus]

I am always amazed by Chinese students' ability to memorise facts and fiigures, which I suppose is not unexpected as their education system is based on rote memorisation
and repetition of facts. Imagine having to memorise 4000 Chinese juust to read a newspaper!
In addition,people from the Far East place a high value on education - they work hard not only for themselves but for the honour of the family.
I believe valuing education is the key - when it's provided 'free', as it is here, many see no value in it, do not work at it, and do not see it as a key to inproving their prospects for the future.

[tamborine]

school children memorise their tables at infant school......it helps with maths.

[puzzfuzz]

I was doing my advanced diving course in the philippines many moons ago and part of the course was to work out a simple sum underwater at 30 metres!!. I was given the slate expecting it to be something like 73 add 50 take away 29 or somthing like that. Let us just say I was completely out of my depth IT WAS LONG DIVISION!! and I didn't have a clue there were about four lines of numbers eg 46897 plus 5689 etc etc you can imagine. I had to give it him back as i really couldn't do it i felt really ashamed.