MY JC Reflections

MY JC Reflections..

By Wan Liuyang

How time flies. It’s already been the third day of JC immersion. Listening to the old songs, contemplating the past time, I start to collect the memories of the past three simple yet satisfying days. Instead of dropping classes to shopping or whatever, instead of circumscribing self in the Chinese environment, instead of blaming buddies of neglecting us, we should really think of how we can make the full use of this JC experience and take advantage of it.

Here, I just want to write up something about my own perspective of the unique Junior Colleges in Singapore.

About JC

As the name suggests, Junior College, is in some way a college, though sounds a little bit strange. My buddy told the JC also got another name called pre-university. It’s true. ‘Pre’ means before, preliminary, or preparatory for being a college student. I think in this sense JC did a very good job compared with other senior high schools around the world.

From the facades of buildings to teaching style, JC resembles so much a university. From my observation, our JC - TJC (Temasek Junior College) has adopted the lecture and tutorial system, the same as what we have in NTU, meaning that lecturers do the mass teaching in lecture theatres and tutors discuss detailed problems with students in small rooms.

Difference with Chinese Counterparts

First, here I want to mention one thing I hate very much, which is we have to get up DEMN early, say, around 5:30 in order to catch the school bus to JCs. However, when we arrive at the school, many students have already been there and started their revision work. How hard-working Singapore students!

Apart from that, unlike in China, classes in JCs are usually conducted very late. We get hungry to death when the classes finish and flock to canteen. If reminds of the when our tutors in NTU told me that in Singapore, you will little time for lunch and even no time for lunch break, if you want to survive the university. I think that’s probably due to the rapid pace of Singapore society, in case of this small country fallen behind.

In China, usually we have the flag-raising ceremony on every Monday morning. But in TJ, ceremony was held every day. No wonder someone complained that we get up so early just to listen to National Anthem of another country. Come on! Don’t be so sad. Ok, just digress a little. Back to my topic. Even though I cannot understand what the Malay Anthem said, I roughly picture that it’s the same feeling of proud of being a citizen of your own country.

During the ceremony also have the daily announcements for the school. There’re all about what’s going on in school, from student council to overseas studying opportunities. (Their registration processes are all online. Sigh! Can’t be compared with situation in China. So advanced lah.)

About the student council (like the student union in China), I think it’s considered more seriously here. Putting up posters around campus, addressing in front of students and faculties, make proposal to predict outcome of actual activities, candidates make every effort to win the election. (I get a feeling that it’s a bit like the way we elect EXCO and SEPO)

Students, which are the major component of JCs, are also very different from Chinese counterparts. Instead of passive receivers as we are before in China, students are the owner of their own classes, just like the teaching style of the world’s best education in US and UK. Free to express opinion in class, no enforcement to finish homework, JC students have more freedom, which means they, at the same time, have more responsibility to lead their own study. Under this teaching mode, students have a very good environment to create, to invent ideas and let them out without hesitation. Therefore, when I had the first class, which is debate, I was startled by the students’ eloquence in expressing their opinion and refuting others’ arguments.

Singapore seems to have placed a special emphasis on physical training for its citizens. From the beginning of secondary school, Singapore students start to practice long-distance running. TJ is no exception. Most boys and girls can run much better than us. You see so many Chinese scholars struggled to drop PE classes. Think about National service that male Singaporeans have to join after graduation from JC, the aim, together with that of PE classes in Singapore, is to equip Singapore citizens with strong bodies and strong will to serve the nation and protect the nation.

Some personal ideas

In Singapore where a lot of difference races, religions and languages co-existed, how can people with different background live in such harmony? Just the other day, I borrowed a book from TJC library, call the SINGAPORE - the legacy of Lee Kuan Yew. From the book, I got some glimpse of Singapore’s strategy to cope with difference in race. To eliminate discrimination and preserve culture heritage of each race, Singapore government decided to have four officially used languages, namely Chinese, English, Malay, and Tamil. But if each group concentrate on its own language and there was no common language with which they can effectively communicate with one another, how could ever a national culture be created? In order to minimize some confusion caused by these different languages, Singapore adopted English as the most often used language. For example, in school, all lessons are taught in English. And English is the most widely communication tool.

With Buddies

Last but not least, how should interact with our buddies? I’ve heard many people complaining that their buddies did not even take notice of them and just leave them alone. Chances are you buddy is very busy and he/she has no time to care about you. But at least you can do something. As long as are willing to share something with them, most of them are eager to pay back. For example, I have a friend who shared with his buddy history of Chinese swordsman fiction. It’s very simple so long as you’d like to share Chinese culture.

I envy very much those people whose buddy cannot speak Mandarin, because I would only communicate with my buddy in English and improve my Singish. I noticed that many people avoided the so-called Singapore English? Why? I was quite confused. In fact, I think it’s really beneficial if picking up a little Singish. For those who resist Singish, I guess you think ‘Oh, Singapore English is so nauseating, I will keep my standard English’. But remember, you are now in a different country where a majority of people speak this language. How can you really enter the Singapore society without speaking Singish? When in Rome, do as the Romans do. It’s true universally observed that people tend to be more comfortable when they are talking with people who speak the same language or have the same background with them. Therefore, Singish is tool, basic equipment with which we can survive in Singapore. Go and pick up some of the local phrases and speak out? Very refreshing, right? That’s right. You’re on the right track.

Last Words

The first week of the once-in-a-lifetime JC immersion has past. Rejoiced, tired, sad, exciting as we were, we are anticipating the next week while reflecting the past. Let’s make some reflections on our own. Why are we in JC? why do we come to Singapore? Not for playing, not for shopping, not for dating, right? But for what? Learning - experience another culture and enhance the understanding of our own culture. Don’t waste time here, don’t haste MOE, don’t blame on buddies? Think of you. Why you are here? You are here to CHANGE!


07/03/2010@Eton hall

Speical thanks to Li Chen for providing excellent photos