CULTURE

I’m going to be writing about the work and education culture of my destination country which is
the United Kingdom and my home country that is Zimbabwe.

CULTURE OF UK
The UK culture is vastly diverse. It is heavily influenced by the combined nation’s history. The
UK culture is known for humor, tradition and good manner.

Educational system in UK
The department for Education is responsible for children’s services and education, including
early years, schools, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in
England.. Education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 4/5 and 16.

Grades in the UK schools

Key Stage Years
Primary 1 5-7
2 7-11
Secondary 3 11-14
4 14-16

The early education stage

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development and care
of your child from birth to 5 years.

The primary stage

Primary school education begins in the UK at age 5 and continues until they are 11.Some
primary schools are split up into infant and junior levels.

Secondary stage
Years 7 and 8 are the first two years of secondary education in the UK. In some independent
schools they are included in the Junior School, in others, they are part of the Senior School.

Secondary stage (Year 9)

Year 9 is very important as most students make the transition from Junior to senior school.

Secondary stage (years 10-11)

In the last two years of secondary education , starting at age 14, students prepare for GCSE
exams that are taken after two years.

University preparation (years 12-13)

In the UK school system, once a student reaches the age of 16, they can start a 2 year program
which leads to A (advanced) level exams.

Further Education
International students can either choose a state sixth from college or a college of further
education. They do subject-based qualifications that can lead to university, further study,
training or work

CULTURE OF ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe has many different cultures, which may include beliefs and ceremonies, one of them
being Shona, Zimbabwe’s largest ethnic group. Zimbabwe tribes and communities are
traditionally collectivistic.

Educational system in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s education system consists of 7 years of primary and 6 years of secondary

schooling before students can enter university in country or abroad. The academic year in
Zimbabwe runs from January to December with three months term, broken up by one month
holidays, with a total of 40 weeks of school per year.

The ECD stage

Most Zimbabwean children go to ECD before attending the primary stage. They begin ECD at
four years in ECD B and when they turn five they now proceed to ECD A.

The primary stage

It includes Grades 1-7.Most Zimbabwean children begin Grade1 at six with a smaller number
beginning either during their fifth or seventh. Curriculum is nationalized with prescribed
textbooks all in English. The seven years of primary schooling culminate in four nationally-set
Grade 7 examinations.

Secondary stage
Students entering Form 1 are usually aged 12-13, compete for places in the private and
mission day and boarding schools based on their Grade 7 examination results as well as
school-based interviews and placement tests. Secondary schools have Ordinary level which
includes form 1-4 and Advanced level, form 5-6. Cambridge pulled out of its collaborative role in
Zimbabwe’s examination system but does offer its own exams in the country to those schools
whose pupils can afford to pay their examination fees in foreign currency. O and A level exams
were thus the first to be issued purely under ZIMSEC. To receive a passing at O level one must
have passed at least five subjects. At A level students choose at least 3 subjects among
science, commercial and art subjects.

Further Education
They do subject-based qualifications in Universities. Some may proceed to coursework after O
or A level.

Comparisons between UK and Zimbabwe Educational System

UK Zimbabwe
Schooling starts at 4/5 years Schooling also starts at 4/5 years
There are 3 examination sessions in January , There are only 2 examination sessions in june and
may/june and november november
They write GCSE exams They write ZIMSEC or Cambridge

WORK CULTURE
Work culture is the behavior of a group of people within a work environment.

UK work culture
Business culture in the UK can vary quite a lot from fellow Western nations like the US or other
countries in Europe.

Work and Play

One of the best parts of British culture is locals know how to work hard but they also know when
to call it quits. The standard workweek is Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and it is very rare
to go into the office on Saturdays

Work ethic in UK

The UK workplace culture is generally more relaxed and social. Colleagues hang out with each
other outside of work and its not uncommon for birthdays to be celebrated with cake or arelaxed
afternoon socializing.

Zimbabwe work culture

Meetings
Arrive on time. Though your Zimbabwean counterpart may be late, your punctuality is likely to
give a good impression. Greet everyone individually and it is important to greet everyone using
their proper title.

Considerations

Personal relationships are somewhat essential to business in Zimbabwe. Its business culture is
generally hierarchal. Employees expect decisions to be made by higher management. Some
Zimbabweans may ask you to grant favors for their friends on the basis of your working
relationship.

References

https://www.brightworldguardianships.com/en/guardianship/british-education-system/

https://www.usapglobal.org/zimbabwe/education.htm

https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/zimbabwean-culture-business-culture

https://www.languagetrainers.co.uk/blog/5things-to-know-about-british-work-culture/