Singapore Centre for Chinese Language (SCCL)

Singapore Centre for Chinese Language (SCCL)

http://en.sccl.sg/

"The establishment of Singapore Centre for Chinese Language (SCCL) was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 6 September 2008.

The objective of SCCL is to enhance the effectiveness of teaching Chinese as a second language in a bilingual environment and to meet the learning needs of students from non-Mandarin speaking homes.

Through the provision of quality training, SCCL hopes to enhance the teaching literacy, competency and professionalism of Chinese language teachers.

It will also strive to promote the development of Chinese culture and language in Singapore. The Centre also focuses on researching innovative teaching and learning strategies, and through the promotion of effective Chinese language pedagogy in a bilingual environment, the Centre hopes to develop unique and effective teaching methods to strengthen the position of SCCL as the regional teaching and research centre for Chinese as a second language.

SCCL had begun its in-service training courses in June 2009."

Here is some points raised by MM Lee Kuan Yew at the opening of the Centre on 17 Nov 2009:

News: The Straits Times - 18 November 2009
MM Lee wants learning of Chinese to be fun
By Clarissa Oon & Cai Haoxiang

"I intervened successively over the years and insisted that my experience should guide the policy. I was taking risks. I started wrong and I put it right. It is not completely right but I will get it right if I live long enough."

"he urged parents and educators not just to expose children to the Chinese language from a young age, but also to stimulate the child's interest in the language, beyond just 'passing exams'."

"I want to get this message into the heads of the younger generation of teachers: Use IT, use drama, use every method to capture the interest of children,' he said."

"One example of how the SCCL is making the learning of Chinese fun is through mobile phone technology. This was shown at a conference yesterday afternoon by one of the centre's lecturers."

For full text of the article, visit:

http://www.pmo.gov.sg/News/Transcripts/Minister+Mentor/MM+Lee+wants+learning+of+Chinese+to+be+fun.htm

林懷民 on 中天書坊 01

I find it very meaningful listening to 林懷民. It will help those who like to study Chinese Literature in understanding the interpretation of 屈原-九歌 (Nine Songs).
There are 4 parts in total and you may follow the links of part one to view the rest.

Notes:

九歌【简介】
《楚辞》篇名。“九歌”原为传说中的一种远古歌曲的名称。

《楚辞》的《九歌》，是战国楚人屈原据民间祭神乐歌改作或加工而成。

共十一篇：《东皇太一》、《云中君》、《湘君》、《湘夫人》、《大司命》、《少司命》、《东君》、《河伯》、《山鬼》、《国殇》、《礼魂》。《国殇》一篇，悼念和颂赞为楚国而战死将士；多数篇章，则皆描写神灵间的眷恋，表现出深切的思念或所求未遂的伤。

王逸说是屈原放逐江南时所作，当时屈原“怀忧若苦，愁思沸郁”，故通过制作祭神乐歌，以寄托自己的这种思想感情。...

Source of information:

http://baike.baidu.com/view/59965.htm

Full text of 九歌 is at the end of the page.