N/A
About the Programme
NUS is pleased to offer a 11-week study abroad programme that allows you to learn Mandarin and discover the colorful multi-cultural heritage and experience a unique learning experience that is global yet Asian. English and Mandarin are officially recognized languages of Singapore and widely used throughout the city.
This programme developed by NUS Extension to meet the specific needs of visiting international students who are interested in intensive language learning, coupled with academic coursework specifically focused on Singapore and South East Asia. Courses are offered in:
- Intensive Mandarin
- SE Asian Culture and Traditions
- Singapore – From 3rd World to 1st
Learning Objectives
- To pick up the basics in conversational, reading and writing Mandarin skills that is applicable in modern social context.
- To appreciate the Chinese cultural heritage.
- To learn the history and culture of Southeast Asia.
What You Will Learn
Singapore – From 3rd World to 1st
This intensive academic programme will cover 4 major areas of Singapore and its history and how we evolve from a small fishing port to one of the 4 Asian Tigers.
- Singapore as a British Colony
- Singapore under Japanese Occupation
- Singapore’s road towards independence
- Singapore Today
The session will also provide students with an understanding of the nation’s building efforts of Singapore and how it evolved from a 3rd World country to 1st. Cruise down the Singapore River to experience how trading was done, catch a glimpse of one of Singapore’s oldest and matured estates and experience on site lecture @ the Changi Museum (dedicated to all those who died in Singapore during the dark years of World War II).
Discover Singapore’s multiracial society and understand the social welfare system and how leaders learn from developed countries to concoct its version of welfare. Take a trip to the Housing Development Board and discover how Singapore achieves 87.2% home ownership.
A visit to the Newater Plant will illustrate how Singapore built a robust, diversified and sustainable water supply from four different sources of water (including treating used water and desalinating seawater) in just 40 years.
Other areas covered include:
- Visit to Parliament House (opened in 1839 and occupying 2.2 hectares with built up area of 19,765 square meters)
- The East Asian Economic Growth and Singapore
- ASEAN Economies and Singapore
- Urban Planning in Singapore and Visit to URA Centre
- Survival of Singapore – Water Treaty with Malaysia and Visit to Marina Barrage
- Sustainability of Singapore’s Economy
You will learn the basics of Mandarin in daily morning lessons. In the afternoon, there will be lessons on Chinese and Southeast Asian history and cultures.
Learn the art and technique of brewing Chinese tea at a teahouse, attempt brushstrokes in our Chinese calligraphy class. There will also be lecture discourses covering the history and national identities of Southeast Asia, as well as the integration of people in the region. Lessons are not confined to the classrooms. You will actively participate in fieldtrips to local museums and places of worships, attend hands-on workshops and learn more about the region in an enjoyable and engaging manner.
Course Load
- 100 Hours of Mandarin (Conducted in Mandarin).
- 48 Hours of Chinese and Southeast Asian History and Cultural Studies (Conducted in English).
Certain afternoons are reserved for self-revision
and recreational activities. There will also be plenty
of chances during the weekends for you to explore
Singapore and neighbouring islands and countries.
Assessment
Besides regular assignments, there will be oral and written as well as project based assessments for the Mandarin component.