CDE REFLECTION

For the last 2 lessons, we have been comparing the difference between the Eastern cultures and values and the Western ones. We have learnt a lot of new things about the Western culture such as the 12 core American values. I realize that I have little knowledge about the western values. I do not know that things like material comfort and equality are the core values of the Americans. Some of the values really surprise me that I would not think that they are the core values of Americans originally. I have also learnt that the some Eastern values are actually the same as the Western values. For example “achievement and success”. We tend to work very hard to achieve our targets such as getting a good result or get into a good university. The Americans also tend to work hard to achieve their goals too. However, the some Eastern Values are different from the Western ones. “Material comfort”is one good example. For us, we do not really care about good-looking a dress is. We would choose the ones that has the greatest value or the most suitable one.We had also watched 2 videos about Google during the second lesson, i am really impressed by the Google Company, about their facilities such as buffet and free Gyms. I am looking forward to work there some day, if I can.Even the long queue has a meaning there. Which is to allow people to have time to talk to each other.I also enjoy learning the cultures now, instead of the past. For the last 2 years, we have been focusing too much on the past, like World Wars or the Singapore history. I think that learning present culture is also very important and i really enjoy my CDE lessons! 

12 core American Values

1.     Individualism

2.    Achievement and success

3.    Activity and work

4.    Efficiency and practicality

5.    Science and technology

6.    Progress

7.    Material comfort

8.    Humanitarianism

9.    Freedom

10. Democracy

11. Equality

12. Racism and group superiority

What do I expect to learn:

•   More concrete examples about the similarities and differences between the East and the West cultures

•  The society and government of the East and West

1/13/15 Wang Yi Kun copyright