A former Chinese newspaper journalist’s observations that the Chinese education standards are unsatisfactory has sparked a rebuttal from a concerned Primary 4 student, saying they learn more than just the language and enjoy the classes.
Li Minwen illustrated her views in a forum letter to Lianhe Zaobao on May 10, highlighting her children’s Chinese textbooks haven’t changed in the last three decades.
“Even the pedagogy remains largely unchanged from my time in school,” said the mother of three children in primary and secondary schools.
P4 student addresses Li’s points
After reading the forum letter, a Primary 4 student named Hao Yueran wrote in on May 17, addressing “Auntie Li’s” statements.
First, Hao pointed out that the textbooks are updated.
“I went online to check — the textbook that we use now 《欢乐伙伴》was published in 2015. The educational materials used in secondary schools were launched only in 2021. Auntie Li’s children are using the most updated materials, so how can it be that textbooks haven’t changed in 30 years?” she wrote.
Hao also noted that their textbooks feature more than the values Auntie Li listed down. “Perhaps Auntie Li was too busy working and did not peruse her children’s textbooks close enough,” she added.
“I don’t feel that these are dull or insipid,” she said on the themes like family bonding, observing safety, and more, which are taught in the textbooks.
Regarding memorisation for the sake of passing exams, Hao said that her teachers never let them memorise without understanding the concepts.
Our teacher often spends several lessons teaching us how to write specific and vivid compositions, metaphors, personifications and comparisons, said Hao, noting they really enjoy their classes.
Lastly, the student highlighted, “Parents are their children’s first teachers.”
“Auntie Li should speak to her children in Mandarin at home more and let them read more Chinese books,” she suggested.
In her letter to the Chinese daily, Ms Li wrote, “Basically, when my kids are learning Chinese, they memorise the model answer for the topics that will be covered in the exams. Even when it comes to writing, they don’t have a solid foundation to write in an in-depth and descriptive way. Most of the time, they write like they’re producing an accounting report.”
She said that Chinese education in Singapore today covers virtually nothing other than the usual themes of respecting the elderly, caring for the young and the environment, racial harmony and Asian values.
“One can only imagine how dull and insipid such classes are. In a time when we are bombarded with all kinds of media, how can this inspire enthusiasm for learning the Chinese language in our children?” she asked.
Unfortunately, things aren’t any better at her children’s tuition classes. “They use a force-feeding method”, which equips children to pass exams but doesn’t help them learn the language, said Ms Li.
She added that her children are unable to communicate in Chinese with their peers from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Meanwhile, she gave high praise to Chinese language lessons offered online. “They can even describe a falling leaf with such fervour!” she wrote.
The mother observed that some Caucasian students attending the online classes from abroad could communicate in Mandarin effectively more than her children.
“If year after year, we only teach the same old themes (that were mentioned above), it would be a blessing if our kids don’t resent the Chinese language, let alone have an interest in it.”
Read both pieces here./TISG