Understanding China Today

[tanlim]

Dear Mums and Dads!


I'm a teacher teaching China studies in Junior College (JC, students aged 17-18 yrs old).

I found this subject really useful, as it trains our students to think critically and have a global perspective.

Currently, this subject is only taught in good schools and to older students like 16-18yrs old and younger ones like 13yrs old.

would like to seek the opinion of parents if schools should offer this kind of subjects to our future generation earlier?

Do feel free to input!

[daisyt]

There is a subject in a few of the IP schools cover something like you mention. Its the bicultural studies. This subject starts at 15 yo. I personally feel, no harm to start at earlier age but the syllabus must not be too complicated but can enhance the compare, analysis and thinking skill.

[tanlim]

With the rising of China and India, our students should really get to know the new world…


Singaporean Chinese tends to lost out to PRC in this subject.

[daisyt]

However, this is a subject not many PRCs are taking or want to take. And for the Scholarship given by MOE, its strictly for Singapore citizen. But then, PRC kids who have converted to Singapore citizens are considered Singapore citizens and they are eligible.


Depends on which type of PRC kids comparing. For those PRC kids who just came here to study in secondary, same level, but 2 years older, matured enough to understand China current affairs and the culture because they have been living in China for 16 years. Singapore kids would loose out on understanding China studies.

For those PRC kids who were here before Primary or during Primary, they are of the same comparable level with Singapore kids. Apple to pple, orange to orange.

[verykiasu2010]

daisyt:

However, this is a subject not many PRCs are taking or want to take. And for the Scholarship given by MOE, its strictly for Singapore citizen. But then, PRC kids who have converted to Singapore citizens are considered Singapore citizens and they are eligible.


Depends on which type of PRC kids comparing. For those PRC kids who just came here to study in secondary, same level, but 2 years older, matured enough to understand China current affairs and the culture because they have been living in China for 16 years. Singapore kids would loose out on understanding China studies.

For those PRC kids who were here before Primary or during Primary, they are of the same comparable level with Singapore kids. Apple to pple, orange to orange.

those PRC kids coming in secondary school has already done compulsory study in Chinese History and culture, and have done the 4 classics back in China

[FrekiWang]

Hi tanlim, are you teaching China studies in English or in Chinese?

[tankee]

what are taught in this subject - Understanding China Today?


is it cultural focused or economy focused?

[tanlim]

I’m teaching China studies in chinese.

There are 4 themes in this subject,
Culture and society
Authority and governance
Development and challenges
China and the world

Students taking this subject will have an advantage if they intend to take up the PSC-china scholarship offered by public service commission.

[daisyt]

Hi tanlim, how different is this subject compare to Bicultural study (4 years, starting from year 3 to year 6)?

[tanlim]

BSP, bicultural studies programme, students in this programme must take china studies in Chinese as a compulsory subject.


BSP also included oversea learning trip etc…

Is your child taking BSP?