（《新明日报》，01/01/2010）
我国初级学院学生的书法作品，在“日本第18回国际高校生选拔书展”中，获得一个准大赏、优秀赏、秀作赏，及十二个“入选赏”成绩斐然。
由日本每日新闻社，财团法人每日书道会主办的“国际高校生选择拔书展”是国际书坛上最重要的学生书法展。
书展始于1993年，并由日本外务省（外交部）、文部科学省（文化部）、大阪府、大阪府教育委员会、大阪市、大阪市教育委员会，每日放送、及日本艺术文化掁兴会协办。
今年的国际高校生书法选拔赛吸引24个国家的高校生参加，参加人数达5万余，入选作品2,157件。入选作品将于2010年2月2日至2月7日在日本大阪市立美术馆公展。
新加坡书法家协会应主办当局的邀请，从全国初级学院及理工学院征集优秀作品参展。负责筛选的书法家是陈声桂、何钰峰、徐祖燊、吕永华、陈朝祥。
以下为荣誉榜：华侨中学高中部的吴欣晏荣获准大赏、维多利亚初级学院的徐天龙荣获优秀奖、谢腾宇则荣获秀作奖，获得入选奖的有德明政府中学的柳芸彤、华侨中学高中部的吴刘琨、胡慈东、翁珏、陈如挺、莱佛士书院的兰一阳、陈志豪、维多利亚初级学院的张星晨、王泽鑫、国家初级学院的林子琨、赵仲黎，美廉初级学院的柯凯文。
1.1.10
30.12.09
即兴剧场融入体育竞技元素 德明政府中学“劲爆剧场大比拼”
（《联合早报》，校园，30/12/2009）
【德明政府学生通讯员】陆思婷、靳忻
12月4日晚上，本应静寂的德明政府中学艺术表演中心，却呈现一片热闹的景象，七点半，“劲爆剧场大比拼”（Theatre Sports）准时在此引爆。
来自德明政府中学、安德逊初级学院、巴耶礼峇美以美女校、海星中学、华侨中学、立化中学、南洋女子中学、圣公会中学、圣约瑟书院、英华初级学院和中华中学的11所学校派出超大的学生阵容，互相挑战，全情投入，现场气氛十分火爆。
一分钟演绎富创意情节
“劲爆剧场大比拼”由世界著名戏剧家约翰史东（Keith Johnstone）所创，是一种融入体育竞技元素的即兴剧场戏剧，在美洲、欧洲、澳洲和日本都十分流行。德明政府中学每年主办的“劲爆剧场大比拼”工作坊，就由澳门戏剧家李俊杰担任指导老师，让学生们从即兴表演的游戏中，了解戏剧这门艺术。
11月23日至25日为期三天的“劲爆剧场大比拼”工作坊，学生们分八小组参加各类活动。“救命啊！”、“别光看”、“想办法”走进工作坊，听到的尽是学生们三个字的台词，原来他们正在玩“三字经”游戏。按照游戏规则，被选出的学生要在一分钟时间内，利用现场提供的道具，在随机角色中演绎富有创意的情节，但是对白都必须是三个字。
这个游戏不仅考验学生们的即兴表演能力，同时也考验他们的应变能力。学生们玩得不亦乐乎，工作坊中的笑声不断，很多学生都有这样的感叹：“我们因戏剧而结识，由游戏而更加团结。”
李俊杰老师说：“劲爆剧场大比拼目的是培养学生们的创意、思维以及表达能力，同时，通过和不同学校的学生们接触，培养友谊，增加团体合作精神。这项活动想要传达给大家正面、积极的讯息和价值观。”
公开比赛观众向参赛者提出要求
12月4日的公开比赛中，参赛者充分发挥创意，有的以一段舞蹈表演，有的以一段小品表演作为开场白，向观众和评判作自我介绍。观众们也绞尽脑汁向参赛者提出要求，参赛者反应快速，虽是即兴演出，但他们充满喜感的台词不亚于精心排练的舞台剧。同时，参赛者的热情表演也感染了观众，连评判之一的孙振炜校长也被他们的出色表演打动，一直给予他们高分。现场的欢呼喝彩，把气氛拉到最高点。最后，所有参赛学生和观众们都意犹未尽地登上舞台，在一段活力四射的集体舞中拉下比赛帷幕。
“只要你相信自己，不畏恐惧，勇敢向前，成功之路在前方。”正如“劲爆剧场大比拼”主题曲《引爆活力极限》所唱的那样，“劲爆剧场大比拼”不单单是演戏和游戏，它培养的是学生们对自己的信心、积极面对困难的态度和临场发挥的能力。
【德明政府学生通讯员】陆思婷、靳忻
12月4日晚上，本应静寂的德明政府中学艺术表演中心，却呈现一片热闹的景象，七点半，“劲爆剧场大比拼”（Theatre Sports）准时在此引爆。
来自德明政府中学、安德逊初级学院、巴耶礼峇美以美女校、海星中学、华侨中学、立化中学、南洋女子中学、圣公会中学、圣约瑟书院、英华初级学院和中华中学的11所学校派出超大的学生阵容，互相挑战，全情投入，现场气氛十分火爆。
一分钟演绎富创意情节
“劲爆剧场大比拼”由世界著名戏剧家约翰史东（Keith Johnstone）所创，是一种融入体育竞技元素的即兴剧场戏剧，在美洲、欧洲、澳洲和日本都十分流行。德明政府中学每年主办的“劲爆剧场大比拼”工作坊，就由澳门戏剧家李俊杰担任指导老师，让学生们从即兴表演的游戏中，了解戏剧这门艺术。
11月23日至25日为期三天的“劲爆剧场大比拼”工作坊，学生们分八小组参加各类活动。“救命啊！”、“别光看”、“想办法”走进工作坊，听到的尽是学生们三个字的台词，原来他们正在玩“三字经”游戏。按照游戏规则，被选出的学生要在一分钟时间内，利用现场提供的道具，在随机角色中演绎富有创意的情节，但是对白都必须是三个字。
这个游戏不仅考验学生们的即兴表演能力，同时也考验他们的应变能力。学生们玩得不亦乐乎，工作坊中的笑声不断，很多学生都有这样的感叹：“我们因戏剧而结识，由游戏而更加团结。”
李俊杰老师说：“劲爆剧场大比拼目的是培养学生们的创意、思维以及表达能力，同时，通过和不同学校的学生们接触，培养友谊，增加团体合作精神。这项活动想要传达给大家正面、积极的讯息和价值观。”
公开比赛观众向参赛者提出要求
12月4日的公开比赛中，参赛者充分发挥创意，有的以一段舞蹈表演，有的以一段小品表演作为开场白，向观众和评判作自我介绍。观众们也绞尽脑汁向参赛者提出要求，参赛者反应快速，虽是即兴演出，但他们充满喜感的台词不亚于精心排练的舞台剧。同时，参赛者的热情表演也感染了观众，连评判之一的孙振炜校长也被他们的出色表演打动，一直给予他们高分。现场的欢呼喝彩，把气氛拉到最高点。最后，所有参赛学生和观众们都意犹未尽地登上舞台，在一段活力四射的集体舞中拉下比赛帷幕。
“只要你相信自己，不畏恐惧，勇敢向前，成功之路在前方。”正如“劲爆剧场大比拼”主题曲《引爆活力极限》所唱的那样，“劲爆剧场大比拼”不单单是演戏和游戏，它培养的是学生们对自己的信心、积极面对困难的态度和临场发挥的能力。
华文教改大方向 教育部后年成立两所师范学院
（赵倩玉、王珏琪、陈能端，《联合早报》，30/12/2009）
为了提升教师传授"软技能"的能力，教育部将在2011年成立体育与运动师范学院及新加坡艺术师范学院。
教育部长兼国防部第二部长黄永宏医生昨天在第12届新校长委任典礼上做出以上宣布。
体育与运动师范学院（Physical Education and Sports Teacher Academy，简称PESTA）及新加坡艺术师范学院（Singapore Teachers' Academy for the aRts，简称STAR）将汇集国立教育学院、大专学府、学校和海外专业社群的力量，为本地在职教师提供素质卓越的培训与发展计划。
两所新的师范学院也会为教师安排出国学习的机会。长远而言，教育部希望体育与运动师范学院和新加坡艺术师范学院能够和国外的知名学府建立合作关系。
新一代的人才除了硬知识，还需要音乐、美术、体育等方面的"软技能"，黄永宏表示，有了素质更高的美术、音乐和体育教师，学生就可通过更多途径发挥他们的才华。
体育教师社群可制定更有系统和有效的课程，加强学生的体能，同时让他们接触更多元的运动，培养团队、体育精神和韧力。
在美术、舞蹈和戏剧方面的训练，则可让学生有更多机会接触不同艺术，他们将以不同的视角了解世界，激发他们的创造和表达能力。
为了加强教职员的互动，教育部也计划设立人力资源合作伙伴中心。中心将协助校长策划人力部署、职员互动及专业领导发展项目等。教职员也能通过人力资源咨询中心向总部提出询问和沟通。
绘制"教师中心"蓝图
另一方面，黄永宏昨天指出，教育部正在着手绘制"新加坡教师中心"（Singapore Teachers Centre，简称STC）的蓝图，为本地3万名教师提供一个提升教学专业能力的平台。
他昨天和出席典礼者分享了校长与各等级教师在过去两个月中，对"新加坡教师中心"所提出的四项具体建议。
其中最主要，也是设立中心的出发点，是要提升本地教师的专业水平。教师们建议让特级教师全职在中心任职，给予在职老师，尤其是刚接下新任务的老师相关的专业辅导。
黄永宏说，中心可以成为一站式研究与服务中心，为所有教育界人士提供新科技及教学资源。
教师们可以通过中心与业界及国立教育学院等机构合作，进行以实践为基础的相关研究。黄永宏指出，中心将协助教师们建立国内外关系网，以便提升本地教学方法。
此外，中心可以协助教师设立不同的兴趣小组，为有共同理想的本地教师建立深厚友谊。
参考三种外国华文水平鉴定模式
为配合华文教学的改革，华文教学检讨委员会将探讨改变华文课程和考试方式。
目前委员会参考的华文水平鉴定考试包括中国的汉语水平考试、国际中学会考(International Baccalaureate, IB)和"全美高中生升大学先修课程考试"（Advanced Placement，AP）。
汉语水平考试是目前中国唯一用来考核母语非汉语者的标准中文测试；AP是由美国大专院校委员会（College Board）主办的全美统一性考试，也是一种大学预修课，学生可通过此累积大学学分，美国和加拿大都有开办这项课程；IB是本地不少国际学校采用的国际会考模式，目前有采用IB课程教学的主流学校只有英华中学（自主）。体育学校和艺术学校在他们学生升上高中时，也将开办这项课程。
教育部长黄永宏指出，他们对这些鉴定模式感兴趣，因为这些测试模式针对的学生背景跟我国学生的家庭背景相似，它们也较不注重书写，而是教导学生如何使用这个语言，和逐步建立他们使用起来的信心。
针对汉语水平考试，他分析，它的写作和口试分成很多级，比我国的华文教育分成更多单元，学生可以根据自己的进度达到更高的级别。
“学生的进度不同，可达到不同的级别，但是学校会鼓励他们尽可能达到能力所及的最高级别。”
他指出，虽然目前中小学也分不同级别，如小学的导入、核心和深广班，但是这个系统缺少了比较一致的升学途径。另外，AP和IB则在教学和测验中使用资讯科技辅助。
英华中学（自主）高中部自2006年起就采用IB课程，该高中部母语部主任吕向（46岁）指出，IB跟A水准课程内容接近，但更注重培养学生的表达和口语能力，培养学生综合的语言能力，不像A水准考试那么注重写的部分。
在个人口试中，学生须完成的几项考试包括准备一个话题来谈，最后要回答教师提出的问题，以及教师当场开个话题，与学生交谈。小组对话的模式有几种，几个学生一起讨论一个题目、让学生组成小组呈现专题等，教师会根据学生的表达、交流、问答等表现打分。
吕向指出，试卷之一还包括让学生根据试卷里的篇章，改写成另一种文体，如新闻报道、通告、广告词等，这就非常具有挑战性。
德明政府中学自几年前开始，每年都会派中三年级的学生参加汉语水平考试。华文部主任王俊义（35岁）指出，这项考试主要针对那些想要报读中国大学的外国人，是一种语文能力鉴定考试，重点在于测试考生的沟通能力，它不像本地华文考试那么注重语言掌握能力，本地华文考试如高级华文的考试项目还包括长文缩短、理解问答，测试的则是多方面的语文能力。
教育部探讨 增设一所特选学校
教育部将探讨开设多一所特选学校，受考虑学校的师资和学生都要达到一定标准。
教育部高级政务部长傅海燕昨天在新校长委任典礼后受访，针对将来若有更多学生华文成绩优异，教育部愿意增设多一所特选学校的说法，她说：“那当然要看学校方面有没有这样的需求。学校的师资和学生方面都要达到一定的基本能力，因为在特选学校时，我们对老师和学生的能力都有很高的要求。”
她说，教育部将进一步调查增设特选学校的需要。
上一个获选为特选学校的南华中学，获选至今已近10年。全国目前有10所特选中学和15所特选小学。
受访的特选学校校长都对教育部可能设立多一所特选学校的消息表示欢迎，并认为要选为特选学校应该具备一些先决条件。
南洋女中校长王梅凤说，一般特选学校，除了提供学生学习双语的环境，也是一所很好的学校。
王梅凤说：“家长是很现实的，他来学校不仅是要孩子掌握双语，还希望孩子能有多方面的发挥。我想学校还是要具备一定的优良传统，也有一定的学业成绩。”她也是前南洋小学校长。
前南华小学校长钟蔚芬认为，特选学校应该具备华校历史和传统，因为特选学校的责任除了要培养学生学习双语，还要能传承文化。她昨天刚转任南洋小学校长。
教育部新措施
华文教育
★中学也将采纳单元模式方针， 华文科目分级制会扩大。
★中、小学口试比重将增加。
★教学上使用更多资讯通信工具。
★教育部考虑增设多一所特选学校。
★针对拥有基本水平的学生，教师将使用英语教华语的教学法。
★参考国际鉴定方式以制定更适合不同学生的评估模式。
新设中心/师范学院
★人力资源伙伴中心
★人力资源咨询中心
★体育与运动师范学院
★新加坡艺术师范学院
三种华文水平鉴定的特点
汉语水平考试
★以日常会话做听力测验。
★分等级的测验，明年全面实行的新汉语水平考试将包括写作和口试两个部分。写作考试有6个级别，口试则分成初级、中级和高级。
全美高中生升大学先修课程考试
Advanced Placement
★利用生活中的材料教学，如对话、演讲，并进行实用语言的考核，如电邮。
★考试和测验时，利用资讯科技，例如口试时，不用平面图片，而是给学生观看会话录像。教育部说，这是比较真实的语境。
国际中学会考
International Baccalaureate
★利用生活中的多元材料教学，如歌曲、影片、广告、访问等，并鼓励学生通过不同方式交流，比如表演、讨论和辩论。
★学生做个人或小组作业，或者进行口试时，可选择自己喜欢的题目来讨论。
为了提升教师传授"软技能"的能力，教育部将在2011年成立体育与运动师范学院及新加坡艺术师范学院。
教育部长兼国防部第二部长黄永宏医生昨天在第12届新校长委任典礼上做出以上宣布。
体育与运动师范学院（Physical Education and Sports Teacher Academy，简称PESTA）及新加坡艺术师范学院（Singapore Teachers' Academy for the aRts，简称STAR）将汇集国立教育学院、大专学府、学校和海外专业社群的力量，为本地在职教师提供素质卓越的培训与发展计划。
两所新的师范学院也会为教师安排出国学习的机会。长远而言，教育部希望体育与运动师范学院和新加坡艺术师范学院能够和国外的知名学府建立合作关系。
新一代的人才除了硬知识，还需要音乐、美术、体育等方面的"软技能"，黄永宏表示，有了素质更高的美术、音乐和体育教师，学生就可通过更多途径发挥他们的才华。
体育教师社群可制定更有系统和有效的课程，加强学生的体能，同时让他们接触更多元的运动，培养团队、体育精神和韧力。
在美术、舞蹈和戏剧方面的训练，则可让学生有更多机会接触不同艺术，他们将以不同的视角了解世界，激发他们的创造和表达能力。
为了加强教职员的互动，教育部也计划设立人力资源合作伙伴中心。中心将协助校长策划人力部署、职员互动及专业领导发展项目等。教职员也能通过人力资源咨询中心向总部提出询问和沟通。
绘制"教师中心"蓝图
另一方面，黄永宏昨天指出，教育部正在着手绘制"新加坡教师中心"（Singapore Teachers Centre，简称STC）的蓝图，为本地3万名教师提供一个提升教学专业能力的平台。
他昨天和出席典礼者分享了校长与各等级教师在过去两个月中，对"新加坡教师中心"所提出的四项具体建议。
其中最主要，也是设立中心的出发点，是要提升本地教师的专业水平。教师们建议让特级教师全职在中心任职，给予在职老师，尤其是刚接下新任务的老师相关的专业辅导。
黄永宏说，中心可以成为一站式研究与服务中心，为所有教育界人士提供新科技及教学资源。
教师们可以通过中心与业界及国立教育学院等机构合作，进行以实践为基础的相关研究。黄永宏指出，中心将协助教师们建立国内外关系网，以便提升本地教学方法。
此外，中心可以协助教师设立不同的兴趣小组，为有共同理想的本地教师建立深厚友谊。
参考三种外国华文水平鉴定模式
为配合华文教学的改革，华文教学检讨委员会将探讨改变华文课程和考试方式。
目前委员会参考的华文水平鉴定考试包括中国的汉语水平考试、国际中学会考(International Baccalaureate, IB)和"全美高中生升大学先修课程考试"（Advanced Placement，AP）。
汉语水平考试是目前中国唯一用来考核母语非汉语者的标准中文测试；AP是由美国大专院校委员会（College Board）主办的全美统一性考试，也是一种大学预修课，学生可通过此累积大学学分，美国和加拿大都有开办这项课程；IB是本地不少国际学校采用的国际会考模式，目前有采用IB课程教学的主流学校只有英华中学（自主）。体育学校和艺术学校在他们学生升上高中时，也将开办这项课程。
教育部长黄永宏指出，他们对这些鉴定模式感兴趣，因为这些测试模式针对的学生背景跟我国学生的家庭背景相似，它们也较不注重书写，而是教导学生如何使用这个语言，和逐步建立他们使用起来的信心。
针对汉语水平考试，他分析，它的写作和口试分成很多级，比我国的华文教育分成更多单元，学生可以根据自己的进度达到更高的级别。
“学生的进度不同，可达到不同的级别，但是学校会鼓励他们尽可能达到能力所及的最高级别。”
他指出，虽然目前中小学也分不同级别，如小学的导入、核心和深广班，但是这个系统缺少了比较一致的升学途径。另外，AP和IB则在教学和测验中使用资讯科技辅助。
英华中学（自主）高中部自2006年起就采用IB课程，该高中部母语部主任吕向（46岁）指出，IB跟A水准课程内容接近，但更注重培养学生的表达和口语能力，培养学生综合的语言能力，不像A水准考试那么注重写的部分。
在个人口试中，学生须完成的几项考试包括准备一个话题来谈，最后要回答教师提出的问题，以及教师当场开个话题，与学生交谈。小组对话的模式有几种，几个学生一起讨论一个题目、让学生组成小组呈现专题等，教师会根据学生的表达、交流、问答等表现打分。
吕向指出，试卷之一还包括让学生根据试卷里的篇章，改写成另一种文体，如新闻报道、通告、广告词等，这就非常具有挑战性。
德明政府中学自几年前开始，每年都会派中三年级的学生参加汉语水平考试。华文部主任王俊义（35岁）指出，这项考试主要针对那些想要报读中国大学的外国人，是一种语文能力鉴定考试，重点在于测试考生的沟通能力，它不像本地华文考试那么注重语言掌握能力，本地华文考试如高级华文的考试项目还包括长文缩短、理解问答，测试的则是多方面的语文能力。
教育部探讨 增设一所特选学校
教育部将探讨开设多一所特选学校，受考虑学校的师资和学生都要达到一定标准。
教育部高级政务部长傅海燕昨天在新校长委任典礼后受访，针对将来若有更多学生华文成绩优异，教育部愿意增设多一所特选学校的说法，她说：“那当然要看学校方面有没有这样的需求。学校的师资和学生方面都要达到一定的基本能力，因为在特选学校时，我们对老师和学生的能力都有很高的要求。”
她说，教育部将进一步调查增设特选学校的需要。
上一个获选为特选学校的南华中学，获选至今已近10年。全国目前有10所特选中学和15所特选小学。
受访的特选学校校长都对教育部可能设立多一所特选学校的消息表示欢迎，并认为要选为特选学校应该具备一些先决条件。
南洋女中校长王梅凤说，一般特选学校，除了提供学生学习双语的环境，也是一所很好的学校。
王梅凤说：“家长是很现实的，他来学校不仅是要孩子掌握双语，还希望孩子能有多方面的发挥。我想学校还是要具备一定的优良传统，也有一定的学业成绩。”她也是前南洋小学校长。
前南华小学校长钟蔚芬认为，特选学校应该具备华校历史和传统，因为特选学校的责任除了要培养学生学习双语，还要能传承文化。她昨天刚转任南洋小学校长。
教育部新措施
华文教育
★中学也将采纳单元模式方针， 华文科目分级制会扩大。
★中、小学口试比重将增加。
★教学上使用更多资讯通信工具。
★教育部考虑增设多一所特选学校。
★针对拥有基本水平的学生，教师将使用英语教华语的教学法。
★参考国际鉴定方式以制定更适合不同学生的评估模式。
新设中心/师范学院
★人力资源伙伴中心
★人力资源咨询中心
★体育与运动师范学院
★新加坡艺术师范学院
三种华文水平鉴定的特点
汉语水平考试
★以日常会话做听力测验。
★分等级的测验，明年全面实行的新汉语水平考试将包括写作和口试两个部分。写作考试有6个级别，口试则分成初级、中级和高级。
全美高中生升大学先修课程考试
Advanced Placement
★利用生活中的材料教学，如对话、演讲，并进行实用语言的考核，如电邮。
★考试和测验时，利用资讯科技，例如口试时，不用平面图片，而是给学生观看会话录像。教育部说，这是比较真实的语境。
国际中学会考
International Baccalaureate
★利用生活中的多元材料教学，如歌曲、影片、广告、访问等，并鼓励学生通过不同方式交流，比如表演、讨论和辩论。
★学生做个人或小组作业，或者进行口试时，可选择自己喜欢的题目来讨论。
5.12.09
【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/
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
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”
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
吔！我们可是骑了近40公里哦！
相关链接：
（台湾）康桥双语实验高中：
第三屆德明政府中學與康橋交流活動 Day 1
第三屆德明政府中學與康橋交流活動 Day 2
（台湾）自由時報：
星高中生來台交流 愛自由學風
新加坡學子參訪 康橋人陪騎
（台湾）聯合報：
星中學生訪台 公費體驗雙文化
德明訪台HOME STAY體驗文化
相关链接：
（台湾）康桥双语实验高中：
第三屆德明政府中學與康橋交流活動 Day 1
第三屆德明政府中學與康橋交流活動 Day 2
（台湾）自由時報：
星高中生來台交流 愛自由學風
新加坡學子參訪 康橋人陪騎
（台湾）聯合報：
星中學生訪台 公費體驗雙文化
德明訪台HOME STAY體驗文化
（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.
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."
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
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及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。
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
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及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
2.11.09
2009年劲爆剧场大比拼
日期：2009年12月4日 （星期五）
时间：7.30pm
地点：德明表演艺术中心（Performing Arts Centre)
票价：五元
想进一步地了解即兴劲爆剧场，可浏览以下网站：
http://www.tsporters-sing
apore.blogspot.com/
时间：7.30pm
地点：德明表演艺术中心（Performing Arts Centre)
票价：五元
想进一步地了解即兴劲爆剧场，可浏览以下网站：
http://www.tsporters-sing
apore.blogspot.com/
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