Impact of Culture on Education in Poland and South Korea : a Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Culture affects our perception of self, our communication styles, and how we are educated or choose to educate the members of our society. Cultural differences affect teaching and learning styles. Educational strategies and practices in Asian and Western countries seem to be in contrast with each other, like their cultures. Although both cultures recognize education as an important tool towards life and educational success, each of them has a specific view on how educational goals could be achieved. The purpose of the qualitative study was to look at how culture impacts on education of a chosen East-South Asian country as well as of a European country. The South-East Asian countries, characterized as Confucian heritage cultures, have regularly topped the international league tables, such PISA, TIMMS and PIRLS, for a few years. The main subject of analysis were the culture and education of Poland and South Korea.