Last Friday I was very upset.
I take part in the giving program which is organized by MOE. I am allocated to Bedok South Secondary School which is very far from Eton Hall. Last Friday was my first day to teach the students so I got up at half past six. It took me about one and half hours to get there. To be honest, the first experience is very terrible. I was very disappointed with Singaporean Chinese students. On the one hand, few of them listened to me carefully. Some were drawing pictures; some were writing words on their textbooks; some even talked with their neighbours in Singlish which I couldn’t understand. On the other hand, the students’ Chinese was very poor. Before I went to the school, I thought all the students in my class were Singaporean Chinese. Their ancestors came from china. Chinese is their native language. So communicating with me in simple Chinese should be no problem. However, the fact was that most of them could not communicate with me in Chinese even some basic communication in our daily life is difficult for them.
I am confused why this condition can occur. Is English better than Chinese? Or is English more widely used than Chinese? In my opinion, whatever reason it is, as a Chinese descendant, they can’t communicate with a Chinese in Chinese. They can’t use their native language fluently. Isn’t it ridiculous? Here I don’t mean English is not as good as Chinese. In contrast, I have to admit that English is the most widely used language in the world. It is a very useful tool to get further education. So we should learn English well. In this point, Singapore Chinese do very well, I think. But I want to say is that when they study English, they should not forget Chinese—their native language. Don’t think it is an anguished thing. With the rise of China, Chinese is becoming more and more popular in the world. Maybe Chinese will become the world language in the near future. Who knows? So it is not a bad thing to learn their native language well. Otherwise Singapore will lose its bilingual advantages.
Fortunately, Singapore government have realized this problem. They set up Chinese lessons in school and have a Chinese test in the examination for entering a higher school. But I think it is not enough. I think the government should encourage the Singaporean Chinese to talk with their children in Chinese at home which will improve the students’ Chinese very quickly.
The blood flowing in their vessel is Chinese blood so they should never forget their native language—Chinese. From now on, trace their roots. It is not too late.
I take part in the giving program which is organized by MOE. I am allocated to Bedok South Secondary School which is very far from Eton Hall. Last Friday was my first day to teach the students so I got up at half past six. It took me about one and half hours to get there. To be honest, the first experience is very terrible. I was very disappointed with Singaporean Chinese students. On the one hand, few of them listened to me carefully. Some were drawing pictures; some were writing words on their textbooks; some even talked with their neighbours in Singlish which I couldn’t understand. On the other hand, the students’ Chinese was very poor. Before I went to the school, I thought all the students in my class were Singaporean Chinese. Their ancestors came from china. Chinese is their native language. So communicating with me in simple Chinese should be no problem. However, the fact was that most of them could not communicate with me in Chinese even some basic communication in our daily life is difficult for them.
I am confused why this condition can occur. Is English better than Chinese? Or is English more widely used than Chinese? In my opinion, whatever reason it is, as a Chinese descendant, they can’t communicate with a Chinese in Chinese. They can’t use their native language fluently. Isn’t it ridiculous? Here I don’t mean English is not as good as Chinese. In contrast, I have to admit that English is the most widely used language in the world. It is a very useful tool to get further education. So we should learn English well. In this point, Singapore Chinese do very well, I think. But I want to say is that when they study English, they should not forget Chinese—their native language. Don’t think it is an anguished thing. With the rise of China, Chinese is becoming more and more popular in the world. Maybe Chinese will become the world language in the near future. Who knows? So it is not a bad thing to learn their native language well. Otherwise Singapore will lose its bilingual advantages.
Fortunately, Singapore government have realized this problem. They set up Chinese lessons in school and have a Chinese test in the examination for entering a higher school. But I think it is not enough. I think the government should encourage the Singaporean Chinese to talk with their children in Chinese at home which will improve the students’ Chinese very quickly.
The blood flowing in their vessel is Chinese blood so they should never forget their native language—Chinese. From now on, trace their roots. It is not too late.
It‘s also a precious experience! Cherish it!
ReplyDeleteWell, i disagree with you. in fact, i think if you ask them who they are. their answers must be Singaporeans not Chinese. It makes us uncomfortable but it's the fact. They don't think in the same way as we Chinese students think. Just like people in Hong Kong, many of them today still say that they are citizens of Hong Kong not Chinese, though the condition is changing and improving.it is unsatisfactory after all. Hope you can make them love the language which their ancestors are so familar with
ReplyDeleteWell, firstly,I don't think Chinese is their native language, though their ancestors are from China. Singapore has already become a independent country.Secondly, I have to admit that the students are really naughty. Though you are suffering a lot, you need to stick to it. Maybe you can change them...
ReplyDeleteWell, firstly,I don't think Chinese is their native language, though their ancestors are from China. Singapore has already become a independent country.Secondly, I have to admit that the students are really naughty. Though you are suffering a lot, you need to stick to it. Maybe you can change them...
ReplyDeleteThey are called Chinese, but except that they have no relationship with China! Chinese is just their second language, we should appreciate their learning Chinese, but should not have so many high expectations!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how our local friends think of the English level of our own. If my assumption is true, then it's not so ridiculous that from your observation, their Chinese is that poor. haha... Just keep patient, as it's not at all easy to be a teacher. I have the experience of teaching a little girl piano and it drove me crazy. Wish you are all right after the program!!!:P
ReplyDeleteI think this phenomena can be found in many places. This has two reasons. One is the trend of globalization. The whole begins to become one whole part. The communication between different countries are closer and closer. English gradually becames the dominant language in the world. So more and more people prefer to use English rather than their mother tone. The other reason is that the environment you live in can have a big influence on you. Although they are Chinese Singaporean, they have never received good education in Chinese. They have to use English everyday. So it is the same with us. If we don't use Chinese frequently, maybe ten years later we also cannot speak Chinese fluently.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you had such a bad experience. I'm sure it'll get better as you get to know the students. You're right about the need for tracing our roots. I can relate, I didn't think I was Chinese until I went to and lived in China. :) That was when I truly felt proud to be Chinese.
ReplyDelete