Gifted education in China

Abstract

The purpose of the present article is to provide an overview of gifted education in China, by tracing the social and cultural roots of the education system, and to review recent research that relates to current practices in gifted education. As a starting point, I will analyse conceptualisations and definitions of the key terms talent and giftedness in a Chinese cultural context, along with society’s understanding of talents and giftedness, and show how these concepts are different from and similar to Western conceptions and beliefs. Following standard educational practice, I will introduce the important research findings of the last decade and analyse major articles according to whether they follow an educational or psychological approach. Finally, I will provide an overview of education efforts for gifted students, including difficult issues that need more attention, and discuss China’s contribution to gifted education in domestic and international contexts.

Keywords:

• Talent
• giftedness
• gifted education
• supernormal children
• China

Public interest statement

In the last several decades, China has experienced a profound development. Talented individuals, as the driving force behind this progress, are playing an increasingly important role in various fields, both at home and abroad. What are the education efforts that support and nurture gifted and talented individuals in China? What are the cultural and societal perceptions and beliefs about giftedness and how are they different from Western conceptions? Understanding these issues will give domestic and international researchers and educators an updated view of the present situation of gifted education in China, as well as some of the cultural background behind it.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Albert Ziegler, Jiannong Shi, Manuel Hopp, Xiaoman Wei for their support in my research.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Zhitian Zhang

Zhitian Zhang is a PhD candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. She is the chair of Educational Psychology and research on Excellence. Her current research interests include the identification and education of gifted and talented students, creativity and motivation.