The challenge of academic writing for Chinese students within ...

tables. Obtaining a higher degree has become a potential passport to a well-paid job, which
would likely lead to a prosperous life. However as an undergraduate degree qualification does
not necessarily secure a job in current competitive employment market, many graduates
choose to take masters examination for pursuing a master‘s degree, or take the State Civil
Service Examination (SCSE) in order to qualify for a civil position in governments. Learning
has gradually become examination-driven and social mobility-driven.
Last but not least, the social implications of education should not be ignored. Confucian
ideology emphasized the social significance of personal learning – the attainment of personal
learning contributes to the harmony of the society. A following renowned passage from The
Great Learning 6 indicates the connection between personal education and social harmony
and the emphasis of Confucian ideology on the ‗integrated relationship between an
individual‘s moral uprightness and the social and political harmony of the world.‘ (Lee et al.,
2000).
物 格 而 后 知 至 , 知 至 而 后 意 诚 , 意 诚 而 后 心 正 , 心 正 而 后 身 修 , 身 修 而 后
家 齐 , 家 齐 而 后 国 治 , 国 治 而 后 天 下 平
When things are investigated, knowledge is extended; when knowledge is
extended, the will becomes sincere; when the will is sincere, the mind is rectified;
when the mind is rectified, the personal life is cultivated; when the personal life is
cultivated, the family will be regulated; when the family is regulated, the state
will be in order; and the state is in order, there will be peace throughout the
world. (Translated by Chan, 1963)
Personal moral learning is also promoted by the current Chinese government in the education
system. Moral education is a compulsory subject of students at all levels of schooling and
universities. The moral education is part of the government initiatives of creating a modern
harmonious society.
The Chinese educational values explored above have had considerable influence on the
education system. The next section outlines the current education system in China in order to
provide an insight into the educational experiences of the research participants and
educational stages they have undergone before coming to UK.
6 The Great Learning (Daxue), first book of the Four Books (SiShu), was compiled by Zhuxi during the Song
Dynasty (A.D. 960-1279) as canonical reading of Confucianism
32