显示标签为“BSP”的博文。显示所有博文
显示标签为“BSP”的博文。显示所有博文

5.12.09

《商业周刊》:小国求生存 星国菁英学生两岸跑

(阅读文章请点击图片看大图)

【新闻录像】

2009年“劲爆剧场大比拼”12月4日晚于德明政府中学表演艺术中心举行大决赛。以下为当晚我校双文化课程主任王俊义老师与吴心萍老师和黄子芳老师接受8频道的采访录像。

http://videos.mediacorptv.sg/13894/英文教导华文需谨慎-避免本末倒置/

30.11.09

台湾浸濡学习之行(2009)

参访交流:政治大学(与周祝瑛教授合影)

参访交流:达人女中























参访交流:北一女






















最精彩的参访:参观中天电视台与商业周刊














亲手制作凤梨酥



台北故宫博物院留影

台大校门前与康桥学伴的“全家福”




关渡—八里单车行启程前的大合照
(台湾)普台高级中学:

(台湾)国立政治大学:

20.11.09

Controversy over the idea of a bicultural elite

Review-Insight, The Straits Times, 20/11/2009

IN SEPTEMBER 2004, then-Minister of State for Education Chan Choo Sen announced that the Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP) would begin at three Special Assistance Plan schools – Hwa Chong Institution, Nanyang Girls' High School and Dunman High School.

This came three months after then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew spoke of the need to groom a new Chinese bicultural elite to keep Singapore engaged with China in the future.

"To ride on China's growth, Singapore needs a core group with a deep understanding of contemporary China. This means bilingual as well as bicultural groups of key players.

"Bilingualism gets us through the front door, but it is only through biculturalism that we can have deep understanding of China and the Chinese people, and work with them," he said at a conference at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

He also spoke about Singapore's deep links to the Islamic world, as well as the need to engage India.

The idea of such a "bicultural elite" created a controversy, with sceptics asking what this group could do in China that a bilingual Singaporean could not.

Some saw it as a tacit admission of the limits of 40 years of bilingualism while others questioned the elitist connotations of such a programme and whether minorities would feel alienated.

But its supporters said that given Singapore's strategy of pragmatic survival and attempts to make itself relevant to the world, the programme would reap economic benefits from one of the fastest-growing and largest economies in the world.

Dr Goh Nguen Wah, adjunct professor of NTU's Master of Public Administration programme, said: "Will the programme breed elitism? Well, it should not because it is not just designed to groom government leaders and public service officials alone."

Dr Goh, who is the former associate editor of Lianhe Zaobao, added: "It is about broadening students' intellectual horizons and creating a more balanced outlook of the rapidly changing world. People in a tiny city-state like Singapore can't afford to be frogs in a well."

The BSP is now conducted in the Chinese language. But students who are interested in China but do not speak Mandarin can take up China Studies in English at the A levels, although they will not qualify for BSP.

Currently, there are no Ministry of Education bicultural programmes in other languages or in the study of countries like India, but schools like Raffles Institution offer bicultural programmes covering India and the Middle East region, in addition to the China programme.

Under Raffles Institution's India programme, introduced in 2006, students are sent on trips to Chennai and Mumbai.

The Middle East programme, started in 2007, is business-oriented and requires students to learn conversational Arabic. Students go to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain on immersion trips.

Primed to bridge East and West / Absorbing the culture they study

By CAI HAOXIANG, The Straits Times, 20/11/2009

The Bicultural Studies Programme was launched five years ago to groom a core group of bilingual Singaporeans who can engage both China and the West. The pioneering batch who underwent the programme from Secondary 3 to junior college are now in their first year of university. How did they fare? What were the results? Here's the report card.

WHEN Ms Tseng Xin Ying visited Beijing University in 2007 as part of the Education Ministry's Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP), she was amazed by the sight of people reading in every nook and cranny on the campus.

Many students were so deeply engrossed in their books by the picturesque Weiming lake that they did not realise they were attracting a tourist's attention.

Then 17, the young Singaporean was so impressed that she decided to apply to study Chinese language and literature and international relations there.

"I wanted to go to a university with a conducive atmosphere, so I decided that this was it," said the former Dunman High School student.

She is one of the more than 300 pioneering students who have graduated from the BSP programme and are now in their first year of university, studying a range of subjects here and abroad.

Running from Secondary 3 to the second year of junior college, the BSP aims to groom a core group of bilingual students who can understand and engage China as well as the West.

Launched in Hwa Chong Institution, Dunman High and Nanyang Girls' High in 2005, the BSP attracts an average of 330 students each year. River Valley High School also started offering the programme in 2007.

BSP students cover an intensive curriculum in the Chinese language, culture and literature. Some go overseas for lengthy immersion trips, spending up to six months in China.

The most outstanding students from each cohort are offered the BSP scholarship, which provides an allowance of $1,000 a year. Scholarship holders make up a third of the 300 or so students every year.

The scholarship holders have to take China Studies in Chinese at the H2 level, which is roughly equivalent to the A levels. They are heavily subsidised for two overseas immersion programmes, one lasting two to six months in China and the other, two weeks in another country.

A Straits Times check with the three schools which started the scheme found that many BSP graduates are now in fields like law, medicine and economics.

At first glance, the disciplines seem totally unrelated to the Chinese language, history or culture. But the students interviewed said they were positive about the many opportunities offered by the programme.

The most popular course with Hwa Chong's first batch was medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS) with 10 students, or one-eighth of the cohort, pursuing it. The next three most popular courses were business, international relations and law.

Mr Branden Seow Zi Xuan, 19, a former Hwa Chong student, had dreamt of becoming a doctor since childhood. But he also wanted to know more about Chinese culture and contemporary China.

When the opportunity came, he realised that he could take China Studies at H2 level, along with chemistry, biology and mathematics, which would enable him to apply to medical school at NUS.

Having travelled to Zhejiang, Beijing, Shanghai and Hainan under the BSP, he felt his experiences in China will enable him to establish a better rapport with Chinese patients in the future.

"I will ask my patient which part of China he comes from. Then I will know what to ask, to strike up a conversation and generate goodwill," said Mr Seow, who is now studying medicine at NUS.

"It's still early, but I'm keeping an open mind. If Chinese patients were to come to Singapore, I can help in managing their care as I believe I will be able to establish a rapport with them."

The 62 pioneering students from Nanyang Girls' are studying a range of subjects from international relations, science and medicine to economics, accountancy and business, and law. Dunman High's 124 students are also pursuing a similar range of subjects here and abroad.

Said Ms Tan Mei Hui, 19, a former Dunman High student who is now pursuing a Bachelor of Music at the Royal College of Music in London: "Although the BSP did not have a direct influence on my decision to study music in Britain, it has further enhanced my ability to appreciate the beauty of other cultures."

She added that the BSP helped make students more appreciative of other cultures, and more socially conscious.

Evaluating the programme

AS THE pioneering students are barely in their first year of university, it is too early to evaluate the results of the BSP programme.

But if one goes by the popularity of the programme, academic honours awarded to students and tie-ups with Chinese universities, the results have been gratifying.

Since 2005, an average of 330 students have been selected for the BSP each year, with numbers fluctuating between years.

For Dunman High's BSP, more students are applying for the 80 to 100 spots – from about 100 in 2007 to 120 this year, according to Dr Ong Chun Ghee, head of the bicultural studies academy at the school.

The quality of students has also risen, he noted: "We observe that students with better results are applying for the programme, with more parents inquiring."

Students interviewed said they will recommend the programme to their peers because it provides a well-rounded education and overseas immersion.

But Ms Serene Lim Si Ling, 19, who is studying Chinese language and literature at Fudan University, had this piece of advice: "Students should have an open mind to accept the differences so that they can really learn from the experiences, no matter good or bad."

Meanwhile, Ms Choo Wen Rui, 19. warned that students should join the BSP out of "true interest".

Said the Nanyang Technological University undergraduate, who is studying biomedical sciences and Chinese medicine: "If you're attracted only by the overseas immersion programme, you might struggle if you're not interested in Chinese culture, especially in junior college, when you have to do a lot of reading for the China Studies class."

One positive result of the programme: The Prime Minister's Book Prize, awarded for bilingual excellence, has been given to seven BSP students – five from Hwa Chong and two from Dunman High.

BSP students have also demonstrated their mettle by winning scholarships to universities here and abroad, especially in China.

Hwa Chong principal Ang Wee Hiong expects many of his students to qualify for public scholarships as well as those offered by private companies with business interests in China.

"In time, many will become industry leaders in areas such as journalism, broadcasting, business, teaching and academia," he said.

Indeed, the numbers are looking up for Hwa Chong, where 34 of the 80 students in its graduating BSP batch have been awarded overseas scholarships to top institutions such as China's Beijing and Fudan universities, Britain's Oxford University and American Ivy League colleges like Dartmouth and the University of Pennsylvania.

Another important indicator would be the amount of time students spend in China, noted Chinese language expert Chua Chee Lay, who is one of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's Chinese language tutors.

It is through cultural immersion that students understand how the Chinese think, said Dr Chua, who is chief executive of Chinese language and culture research and training centre CL Lab.

One student who stood out is Ms Tan Bao Jia, 19, from Dunman High, one of the six President's Scholarship winners this year.

Bucking the trend of her predecessors who went to big-name British and American universities, she decided to study economics at Beijing University.

She joins nine former Dunman High students in her batch who are now studying in China's Fudan and Beijing universities.

In the last two years, both Hwa Chong and Dunman High have announced tie-ups which allow students to study at prestigious Chinese universities like Beijing, Fudan and Qinghua.

However, while academic results indicate how well a student understands the Chinese language, culture and history, Dr Chua cautioned that these are not enough.

"Students should have a deeper understanding of the culture they are studying, and to absorb it, make it part of their lives. That is real education," he said.

"The highest level of evaluation is to see if students can internalise what they have learnt."

Citing an example from the epic novel Journey To The West, one of the "Four Classics" that capture the essence of Chinese culture, Dr Chua noted that the main character Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, is a skilled and strong fighter.

It would be good if a student can pick out the strong and weak points from the story and apply what he knows to real-life situations, he said.

"A person may have a weak personality and often run away from difficulties. But he can be inspired by the Monkey King's fighting spirit, such that he develops a strong will, stops running away and changes for the better, thereby improving his life."

9.11.09

新加坡德明政府中学 访康桥双语实验高中

(台湾联合报,09/11/2009)

——》请点击这里看影音视频。

5.11.09

新加坡再次在“汉语桥”世界中学生中文比赛中获得冠军

2009年10月31日新加坡的青少年再次震撼了中国人的心。

新加坡队又一次赢得了“汉语桥”世界中学生中文比赛第一名。本次比赛是第二届中学生“汉语桥”比赛,新加坡在2008年获得首届冠军之后又蝉联冠军。所有的选手和中国重庆人都竖起了大拇指表达赞叹之情。第二届“汉语桥”世界中学生中文比赛有29个国家参加共35支队伍。各队都派出三位年龄介于15岁至20岁的在校学生参加。代表新加坡队的三位选手分别来自:德明政府中学,南洋女中和励仁高中。

德明政府中学是第二次派学生参加,选手来自高一年级,黄琡婷同学。琡婷说:“去重庆比赛之前压力很大,因为学姐Evangelyn在第一届“汉语桥”比赛时取得了团体冠军及综合个人三等奖的优异成绩。我好担心会给新加坡丢脸……”没有料到的是琡婷也带回了团体冠军个人综合三等奖的佳绩。由于参赛的队伍比去年多,所以琡婷取得成绩更为不易。


此次的“汉语桥”比赛体现了新加坡华语的水平及学生的临场反应能力,学生取得的优异成绩与老师的精心培养密不可分,在此我们要感谢所有教导过琡婷的老师们,特别是华文老师,是老师们的努力,新加坡的华文教学才能取得如此好的佳绩。
从左至右:励仁高中郑祖鹏、南洋女中徐晶莹、德明政府中学黄琡婷

30.9.09

第四届全国中学双语演讲决赛台上跪出冠军

(卢贞颖,《联合早报》,爆米花,30/09/2009)

2009年8月29 日早上,新加坡理工学院第一讲堂充满了欢乐的笑声,原来是科兰芝中学与新加坡理工学院联办的第四届全国中学双语演讲比赛正在进行大决赛。

实力旗鼓相当

这一届的参赛者来自29所中学的53名参赛同学,12名脱颖而出的都是演讲高手。其中一名还是校园superstar 的参赛者丁文淞。其实,这一届的参赛者都非常的优秀,实力可说是旗鼓相当。

既然是比赛,必定是有人欢喜有人忧!在这次的双语演讲比赛中,低年级组的冠亚季军分别是:圣尼各拉女校的路朝博宇,莱佛士书院的姜沛村和淡滨尼中学的孙伟熙。而高年级组的冠亚季军分别是德明政府中学的何书君,莱佛士女子中学的刘宓如和莱佛士书院的于竣耀。

低年级组的冠军路朝博宇特别感谢老师与同学们给于的帮助与鼓励。由于比赛期间刚巧碰上考试,路朝博宇可说是蜡烛两头烧,能得到冠军,她自己也很意外!

使出浑身解数

高年级组的冠军何书君很感谢老师给予她的帮助。她自认华文是较弱,想不到参与这次的比赛后,她的华文进步了,让她很有成就感。

决赛同学都使出浑身解数来博取评判们的欢心,从唱歌,模仿广告人物到当众下跪,参赛者们的招数精彩纷呈,决赛毫无冷场!

来自德明政府中学的黄俊维同学在演讲“崇拜偶像无罪”的讲题时还高唱了自己的偶像周杰伦的歌曲《千里之外》。另一名参赛者韩宇光在演讲“男主外,女主内是必然的”的讲题时,甚至扮演了电视广告Mr Muscle 的角色。

在即兴演讲时,德明政府中学的何书君还当众下跪呢!别误会,下跪不是为了拜拜,也不是跪地认错,何书君只是在扮演演讲词里的角色,带出“现代的子女不孝顺”。一跪是扮演着古代的孩子向父母下跪敬孝,二跪却是现今父母跪地求孩子不要将他们遗弃!何书君同学这突如其来的举动,引起哄堂大笑,也因此跪而获得了评判们的青睐,打败劲敌,成为了高年级组的冠军。

演讲比赛不但是演讲者幽默,连嘉宾新加坡理工学院院长陈汉章也精彩展示双语演讲,把学习语言不精的笑话带给在场观众,勉励大家掌握双语。

对这届双语演讲比赛参赛者的表现,总评判李秉萱认为参赛者在演讲时更有幽默感了,而且语音、语调、道具的使用也显得纯熟。双语演讲已能对口,令人满意!参赛者们用心讲,评判们用心评,在热闹欢乐的气氛中,第四届全国中学双语演讲决赛圆满落幕。

9.9.09

“死海古卷与古代世界”展览

我校66名中三双文化课程学生在5位老师的带领下,分别于9月2日及4日下午前往The Arts House参观了本区域难得一见的古文物之展。

“死海古卷与古代世界”(The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Ancient World)展出了100多件跨越人类5000年文明的古文物。新加坡,是这批绝少在以色列境外展出的文物在亚洲展出的第一个国家。

多数的《死海古卷》抄本长驻于耶路撒冷的圣书馆。这批古卷远在第一世纪以前大约一百年的时候就被藏在死海西北山洞中。因为这个地方离开耶路撒冷大约只有十五、六英里的路,所以就称这批古卷叫“死海古卷”。

1947年春天,藏在杰里科(Jericho)附近山洞里的古卷——即最古老的犹太文献手稿的偶然发现,成为了本世纪最惊人的发现之一。1948年至1956年间,11个藏有手稿的洞穴(被标示为1—11号洞),在死海西岸的北部角落,即被称为基伯昆兰(Khirbet Qumran)的附近洞穴发掘出大量的《旧约圣经》古卷和其他文献的手抄本,多达600多卷,残篇碎片数以万计。

经过专家学者Dr Joel Lampe 现场的生动解说,我校师生了解了《死海古卷》的发现过程,也了解其中最重要的文献为希伯来文《圣经》抄本(即《 旧约圣经》)及其重大的历史意义与价值;同时也知道除了《以斯帖记》外,《旧约圣经》中的每一部分都能在《死海古卷》中找到。

此外,通过展出的古泥板、羊皮卷、蒲草纸等文物,同学们也了解了书写文字的起源及其发展到今天现代的印刷技术。展品中也包括第一本印刷书的单页、第一修订版的古书等。

值得一提的是,为了增加展出的互动性,主办当局也在参观后举行富有教育意义的现场有奖问答活动,让一路专心聆听讲解的同学进一步巩固所学到的知识。

5.9.09

突显各自特点 2012年发展完成 所有特选学校将各有旗舰项目

(潘星华,《联合早报》,2009-09-05)

为了让学生在学习华文与华族文化的过程中有更丰富的体验,所有特选学校将在2012年完成发展各自的旗舰项目。各校将通过精心策划并具有中华文化色彩的活动,突显特选学校各自的特点。

今年是教育部在10所优秀传统华校实行特别辅助计划的30周年,教育部兼国家发展部高级政务部长傅海燕昨天出席第三届特选中学研讨会,提及特选学校将各自发展有特色的旗舰课程。

她说:“特选学校已经走过30年漫漫长路,30年所取得的成就是有目共睹的。第一批双文化课程学生今年毕业,就有了骄人的成绩。10名获得公共服务委员会中国奖学金的学生,就有七名来自双文化课程。他们将到中国知名大学修读法律或国际关系。其中毕业自德明政府中学双文化课程的学生陈葆佳,还是今年总统奖学金得奖人。

未来30年,各特选学校应就其双语双文化的优势,积极推展旗舰项目,为国家培养更具国际竞争力的下一代。”

傅海燕认为,现代家长都明白孩子到学校不仅为了取得一张文凭,而是要接受学校的全面培养。特选学校具有独特培养学生的方式,有自己的价值观,对不同的家长,有不同的吸引力。

她说:“处于瞬息万变的世界,未来社会需要怎样的人才,现在没有人能预知。我们只有尽量培养不同领域的人才,来应付未来世界的需要。”

10所特选中学和15所特选小学,在教育部的支持下,自去年起纷纷设立有校本特色的旗舰课程。如华侨中学的“华中戏剧课程”、公教中学的“深濡文化,驰骋神州”、德明政府中学的“文史华艺鉴赏课程”、南华中学的“文史哲与实用翻译课程”、圣公会中学的“中国通”课程、圣尼各拉女校和中正中学(总校)明年推出以华文授课的O水准考试科目“华文媒体”;圣婴小学的“圣婴新语”、宏文学校的“中华文化艺术课程”、南华小学的“C无限”、爱同学校的“双文化华文优选课程”。

八所特选小学和七所特选中学今年推出道德教育辅助配套,让学生通过古人尽孝与勤奋的故事,培养高尚品德情操。还有长达四星期到六星期的中国与本地文化浸濡课程,都能提升学生对中华文化的认识,以及加强使用华文的信心。

教育部课程规划与发展司副司长余立信会后说,旗舰项目用的是蓝海策略,教育部鼓励学校发展具有各自特色,与中华文化相关,并让全校学生参与和学习的课程。

他说:“我们希望每所特选学校的旗舰项目是独树一帜,与众不同的。在具有校本特色的旗舰项目熏陶下,各特选学校将培养出面貌不同的毕业生。各校毕业生身上,将各有不同教育特色的烙印。”

余立信说:“早期特选学校的校风、特色,与校长长年掌校有关。到了现代,校长经常轮换,特选学校有必要通过设立与众不同的旗舰项目,建立不受校长人事更动而改变的品牌。”

4.9.09

保留华校传统价值观 特选学校培育无数 优秀双语双文化人才

(高健康,《联合晚报》,04/09/2009)

过去30年,特选学校在保留华校的优良传统与价值观的同时,也提升学生的英文程度,为我国培育了无数优秀的双语双文化人才。

国家发展部兼教育部高级政务部长傅海燕今早出席南洋女子中学与通商中国合办的第三届特选中学研讨会时,对特选学校的历史贡献作出上述评价。

1979年,我国政府在公教中学、德明政府中学、南洋女中及华侨中学等9所传统华校推出特别辅助计划(SAP),协助这些学校的学生在接受中华文化熏陶的同时,英文水平也能与英校媲美。

目前,特选学校已扩大到10所中学和15所小学。

傅海燕说:“为确保我国能够在国际舞台上维持竞争力,我们要积极培养有能力和中国以及西方国家进行交流的双语人才,而特选学校由于其双语双文化的优势,应能更好地负起这个使命。”

她特别提到,今年首批获得公共服务委员会中国奖学金的10得奖者当中,有7位是双文化课程的毕业生,其中德明政府中学的陈葆佳更获得今年的总统奖学金。

23.8.09

除了华文的源流

(周兆呈,《联合早报》,城外城,23/08/2009)

一年多前,应邀到德明政府中学给高中部同学做有关中国社会的演讲。歆穎是高二的学生,在问答阶段积极发问,华语口音听起来很像台湾来的,其实她是土生土长的新加坡女生。几个月后,歆穎发来一封电邮,要跟我讨论她正在撰写的小论文《中国软实力在多大程度上能够走向国际》,怕我不记得她,特意强调说“就是那个你说很像台湾人的”。

今年3月,歆穎告诉我,她已经申请了北京大学,希望能够去那里留学。她说之前曾经考虑了一段时间,听了讲座后更坚定了要去中国留学的信心。能够在年轻人决定人生道路时尽点绵力,是很让人愉悦的事情。

歆穎的申请获得了成功,获颁公共服务委员会的奖学金,9月就将到北大双修中文和国际关系。而德明政府中学今年共有10多位学生,分别获得公共服务委员会、教育部或社青体部的奖学金,即将赴北京大学和复旦大学留学。

德明政府中学的情况显示了一个越来越突出的趋势:新加坡的年轻学子对中国的兴趣、了解,以及愿意选择中国因素作为未来职业和理想的组成部分,这种意愿和动力越来越强。作为独立国家,新加坡有关中国政治、社会和文化的课程,其普及面、层次、力度,已经远超过不少的国家。目前,新加坡的小学都有中国浸濡课程,在中学和初院有中国通识或双文化课程,在大学有当代中国的硕士学位课程。与此同时,在社会体系的继续培训中,南大孔子学院和中华总商会管理学院都有关于当代中国政治和社会体制的文凭课程。这既体现了涵盖的层面和广度,也显示了社会对这一领域的强劲需求。

开办中国通识课程的义顺初级学院,去年2月主办首届研讨会探讨中国政治课题,今年的第二届研讨会,则邀请全国开设“中国通识”和双文化课程的初院和高中,让学生提交中国课题的研究论文,最终选出最优秀的五篇,进行现场呈现。义初的学生还和中国重点高中的学生组成合作小组,研讨有关中国的重要课题。

在我应邀参与评选优秀论文的过程中,细细品读学生虽偶有稚嫩但显然经过磨砺的论述,感觉学生们对中国课题的观察、认识和探索,较以往有了更进一步的提升。有些学生以独特视角小中见大,比如《从‘狗皮膏药’医疗广告的泛滥管窥当今中国社会变迁中的民众心态》;有些发挥精通双语特长分析时事,如《中国和美国对奥运的焦点——比较中美报章》;有的深入挖掘敏感课题,像《婚前性行为的增长是不是当今中国艾滋病增长的主因?》、《从汶川大地震看中国慈善机构面对的挑战与发展趋势》、还有的从传统入手剖析中国当代社会的变迁,比如《从节日文化的变迁看中国传统文化在现代社会所面临的挑战》。虽然距离规范的学术论文标准还欠火候,但学生热忱搜集资料、积极思考探究而完成论文,我所看到的是这种场景形成的一个气场,学生既能够从多元的角度认识中国的复杂,也可以不断地拥有表达观察、切磋观点的机会。

在这种趋势前,人们也应该留意到:对中国了解的增加,并非仅仅是华文学习、华文教育的课题,而是在整体教育层面推动对中国课题的认知和理解。“中国通识”课程以英文修读的每年就有600 多人,远远超过以华文修读的学生数量,正体现对中国课题的高关注度,而不是基于华文学习的热情。义顺初院规划明年举行双语的研讨会,也为英文修读的学生创造讨论的平台。

因此,新加坡对中国的观察,因为通识课程、双文化课程、浸濡计划、短期培训计划等等的持续实施和推广,参与人数日多,影响层面日广,对中国的认识程度也比以往深入、多元。这些,既与中国发展过程中不断派官员到新加坡学习构成有趣的互动,反过来亦激发人们更深刻地理解新加坡的优势与未来发展的推动力。

能够去中国留学的,往往是结合了对中国元素的向往以及华文学习的热情。毕竟,在中国的大学学习,需要一定的华文基础。在这类人才不断增加的同时,也有必要同时思考如何为纯粹英文源流的学生继续创造可以接触中国、深入了解中国的机会,这其中有华文能力弱的华族学生,也有非华族的学生。比如,在以英文修读“中国通识”之后,能够有什么样的机制和方式,确保这些对中国元素有兴趣的人才,不至于像原先修读华文科的学生们一样,在大学教育和实际工作中,削弱了原先的积累?

(作者是联合早报编辑组副主任兼《新汇点》主编)

21.8.09

总理书籍奖与美文比赛获奖

我校高中部的姜锐同学和孟庆一同学在最近举行的2009年连士升杯青少年美文比赛中,分别获得第三名及优胜奖。

此外,我校高中部校友——陈葆佳同学与郑敏仪同学同获高中总理书籍奖,初中部的华慧君、林沅均与张凯玲等则获得初中总理书籍奖。值得一提的是,这5位同学皆为我校双文化奖学金得主。

19.8.09

复旦大学新加坡学生会

复旦大学新加坡学生会网站 Fudan University Singapore Students' Association's Website: http://fussa-roars.blogspot.com/

来吾道夫先路

(高健康,《联合晚报》,19/08/2009)

每一桩大事业,从无到有,从奠基到落成,大抵要历经“筚路蓝缕,以启山林”的拓荒阶段,在此过程中往往出现一些“开路先锋”,也就是屈原所说的“来吾道夫先路”者。

今早出门前,扫了一下《海峡》,封面有两位女生,共同的标题是“Striking Out On Different Paths”,介绍她们如何在学业和运动事业上“另辟蹊径”。其中一位女生陈葆佳,刚获颁总统奖学金,但让她登上封面的不是这项殊荣,而是她以总统奖学金得主的身份舍欧美名校直奔中国北大的“非常”决定。她是留学中国的新加坡学子当中,首位总统奖学金得主。

令我吃惊的是,这位开路先锋来得何其快。原本以为,首批“PSC中国奖学金”得主已经是今年留学中国的新突破,需要时间让这标志性事件沉淀一下,谁知不到一个月,又有新新突破。

陈葆佳也是“PSC中国奖学金”得主,因此可算是“双料”开路先锋。但我们不能忘记在陈葆佳之前那些默默的拓荒者。上世纪 90年代是新加坡学生留学中国大陆的起点,那时很多国人还不能理解留学中国有什么好,而几乎所有留学生不是进北大中文系,就是进上海复旦大学中文系。除了小部分自费生,其余全是教育部奖学金得主。这些人学成归来,很多已在教育界开天辟地。

曾几何时,异彩纷呈。出现了第一个“敢敢”到清华大学读理科的新加坡学生,第一个教育部奖学金得主到北大读经济而不是中文,第一个挣脱北大中文系留学生与中国学生分班上课的紧箍咒,主动加入中国学生班的“勇者”,还有首个莱初毕业却选择到北大修读中国历史的“英校生”……他们大多是不自觉的拓荒者。

陈葆佳毕业自德明政府中学,修读双文化课程,曾在中国浸濡过5个月,选择中国其实并不意外。但总统奖学金毕竟是本国奖学金的最高殿堂,陈葆佳的决定想必会产生一些社会涟漪。下一个突破是什么?也许是纯英文背景的总统奖学金得主到西安交通大学念考古?

屈原《离骚》的原话是:“乘骐骥以驰骋兮,来吾道夫先路”,已经有“道夫先路”的先行者矣,后来者何不坐上被他们驯服的骐骥,到神州大地驰骋一番?

到北京和上海留学? 让新加坡学生会协助你

(《联合早报》,现在,爆米花,2009-08-19)

公共服务委员会(PSC)去年11月设立了一项到中国顶尖大学留学的奖学金,今年,在 84 名获得 PSC 奖学金的学生当中,有10名学生将前往北京大学和清华大学深造,成为公共服务委员会中国奖学金计划下,前往中国留学的首批奖学金得主。

李显龙总理在不久前举行的奖学金颁发仪式上说,中国在亚洲和全世界都已经成为重要的角色,其影响力还将持续增强,对新加坡也会越来越重要,因此希望将来会有更多学生到中国深造。

今年总统奖学金的六名得主当中,德明政府中学直通车毕业生陈葆佳也选择赴北京大学攻读经济,立志成为一名“中国通”公务员。

新加坡学生到中国留学,会碰到哪些困难?中国的课堂风气与师生关系,又是怎样的?

《爆米花》新鲜推出《留学中国》系列,请来留学北大、清华和复旦的学生执笔,告诉你留学中国的全面貌。



(文 / 陈维彪、林伟扬)

有意到北京和上海念书,没有相熟的亲友可帮忙,别担心,新加坡学生会可帮你解忧。

复旦大学新加坡学生会(简称FUSSA)与新加坡学生联合会(北京)(也称SSA (Beijing) ),分别处于中国的南北两部,是目前在中国最大的两个新加坡学生会。

新加坡学生联合会(北京)代表着留学北京的新加坡学生,由清华、北大等诸多大学组成,至今成立只有8年,会员当前大约有90名。

复旦大学新加坡学生会则是上海复旦大学的校办国家学生会,至今成立10年,会员有45名左右。

负笈神州第一个接触点

由于留学中国的资料不如欧美大学来得普遍,两地的新加坡学生会主动地成为了大多数有意负笈神州的学子们的第一个接触点。

学生会在学子们出发前就开始尽量配合,协助学子们出发前的准备工作。除了在他们到中国前举办聚餐活动,让新生与学长彼此认识,我们也会为他们答疑和解忧。两地学生会的代表也将提前回中国,陪同新生办理入学手续。

另外,两地学生会的运作性质基本相同,除了协助新生入学,也会组办不少大型的聚会,其中包括迎新会、国际文化节、中秋晚会、春游等。

新生迎新挑战

每年10月,FUSSA也会连同马来西亚及印尼学生会,配合新生迎新会,主办类似“Amazing Race”的活动。这项活动叫做“上海走透透”,由三国学生会联合起来的主办单位设题,参赛者分组到上海各地寻找答案,并照题目的要求,完成一些有趣的挑战。

同样的,北京新加坡学生会自去年开始,连同北京大学的若干国家和地区的学生会,创办了“亚洲甜品节”,鼓励参与者互相品尝其他国家的甜点美食,加强各个学生会之间的凝聚力。此活动还深受学校和其他学生的欢迎!

不只是注重娱乐活动

随着政府大力支持新加坡学生到中国求学,两地的学生会估计将迎接更多的新生。

中国在世界的地位提升,在中国的新加坡学生会也不会落后于他国学生会。我们将不断地提升自己,使自己的学生会更加团结并富有活力。

我们也将尝试转型成一个不纯粹只是注重娱乐活动的学生组织,并逐步探讨今后如何能将成员们在中国的求学经验带回新加坡,回馈社会。最后,我们也希望能在欢聚的基础上,成为一个比较知性及颇具深度的学生会。

有兴趣的朋友,可以分别在我们的网站联络我们:http://ssa-beijing.youth.sg/
http://fussa-roars.blogspot.com/

欢迎上《留学中国》博客:blog.omy.sg/studyinginchina,留下评论,互相交流。

【作者陈维彪为复旦大学新加坡学生会会长,林伟扬是新加坡学生联合会(北京)会长。】

18.8.09

德明政府中学中国大学保送计划详情

德明政府中学于2008年和中国上海顶尖学府复旦大学签署《中国复旦大学——新加坡德明政府中学第一项合作备忘录》,成为复旦大学“21世纪海外精英人才本科留学项目”在新加坡重点推广的学校之一,是与中国复旦大学合作的第一间新加坡高中学校。

该项目允许非中国籍的德明政府中学高中毕业生,在参加新加坡剑桥高级水准考试后,成绩若达到新加坡国立大学同类科系的录取标准,则可以获得保送资格,免试进入复旦大学文科院系学习;如果要进入复旦大学理科院系学习,需要加试数学。

复旦大学也将颁发一至两份无条件奖学金给表现优异的学生。

希望有兴趣参加的同学踊跃申请!

17.8.09

第二届DAPCU开始接受申请

去年,德明政府中学保送中国大学计划(DAPCU- Direct Admission Programme to China University)在和复旦大学签署备忘录后接受第一届DAPCU申请。

经过一轮竞争激烈的面试后,我校成功保送了7名同学在今年九月份前往复旦大学继续本科生学习。

送走了第一届学生,第二届DAPCU现在正式开始接受申请。现阶段申请程序如下:
  • 有兴趣申请的同学可以到学校办公室领取申请表格和一份DAPCU的说明书。截止日期为2009年8月28日。
  • 校内预考(Prelims)接受,申请者必须呈交校内考试成绩。

如有任何疑问可以向以下老师咨询:

  1. 王俊义 师 ong.chunghee@dhs.sg 6593 6760
  2. 安凤云 师 an.fengyun@dhs.sg 6593 6816
  3. 王燕春 师 wang.yanchun@dhs.sg 65936819
  4. 黄子芳 师 ng.tzefang@dhs.sg 6593 6814

德明国家奖学金成就

我校陈葆佳同学获得总统奖学金,成为德明直通车课程,同时也是双文化课程第一位总统奖学金得主,意义非凡。

除了葆佳同学,其实今年德明的双文化课程硕果累累:

  • 获得政府PSC奖学金双文化学生—共27人
    (一)获得政府PSC奖学金的双文化奖学金得主—10人 (其中有7人将到中国学习,葆佳是其中一位,而且还荣获总统奖学金)
    (二)获得政府PSC奖学金的双文化非奖学金得主—17人 (其中有2 人将到中国学习)

  • 到中国留学的双文化奖学金得主—共12人 (其中7人是奖学金得主;其他5位学生是通过我们德明复旦计划或南初北大计划到中国学习)