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BackgroundType of class: Yu Tsai Class (non-bilingual) / extra curricular class
There are Yu Tsai classes and bilingual classes in each grade at Yu Tsai elementary school. Bilingual classes focus on Chinese and English bilingual education. Under prudent planning by Principal Peter Pan and school directors, special attention has been paid to the development of students’ learning in literature and shuochang in Yu Tsai classes. As a result, ‘The Art of Shuochang’ was officially included as part of our curriculum in 2013. As for bilingual classes, since there are already 15 to 19 periods for English every week, it would have been overly burdensome for our students if we added shuochang into their schedule. Therefore, shuochang was not included in the bilingual curriculum. Principal Pan noticed there was a lot of interest among bilingual class students in learning shuochang, so the school started ‘The Art of Shuochang’ as an extra curricular class. Any one who is interested can sign up for it. Grade Level: Third & Fourth Grades
Once we have decided to include shuochang in our curriculum, we then moved on to deciding the suitable grade level and its course content. Principal Pan, school directors, and Ms. Li decided to start with the middle grades. The lower grades did not have the language capabilities to understand the content, and it may diminish their learning enjoyment. As for higher grade students, they did not have the time for additional shuochang class since they are faced with increasing academic pressure. Learning Areas: Language Area, Integrated Area
Yu-Tsai’s ‘The Art of Shuochang’ class is in the language learning area. Principal Pan explained, “The art of shuochang includes speaking, imitating, teasing, and singing. They are four important aspects in learning a language. It also includes coupling, similar to that in poems and songs, and differences in rhymes. ‘Speaking’ means any knowledge or abilities that we have acquired. Therefore, it is not solely listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Learning is also a part of it.”
Source: Interviews with Principal Pan, Director Tsai, and Ms. Li│Text: Ryan, Howard, Jenny│Pictures: the Original Artsy Shuochang Posse |
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