Cross–Cultural Awareness (C2A)

WHY CROSS-CULTURAL AWARENESS (C2A)

In preparing students for life, the school recognises the need for students to be equipped with cross-cultural skills and global awareness so as to navigate an increasingly diverse and complex world.

OUTCOMES OF C2A

The C2A curriculum allows students to engage in an interdisciplinary study of topics related to culture, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, history and heritage and globalisation within Singapore and our region.

In particular, the curriculum seeks to develop the following outcomes:

STAGES OF LEARNING

The key underlying principle of C2A is knowledge construction, sharing and application within a social constructivist paradigm. Under this paradigm, students develop the necessary attitudes, skills and knowledge through 3 stages of learning.

PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES

PROJECT CULTURE

Project Culture is a customised school-based curriculum to enhance Secondary 1 students' cross-cultural awareness. Students learn basic concepts of culture, including cultural systems and values, in addition to developing other 21st Century Competencies such as communication, collaboration and information skills.

In groups, students then make use of the learned knowledge and skills to understand a "new" culture i.e. a particular nationality residing in Singapore and comparing it with the existing Singapore culture.

The learning culminates into an oral presentation.

CAMP CULTURE

Camp Culture caters to Secondary 2 students.

This non-residential camp enhances students' learning through exposure to various religious systems in Singapore. After the visits, students participate in facilitated discussions, which allow them to share and connect their learning from the different sites. Students also reflect on their attitudes towards the different cultures.

In 2018, Camp Culture evolved to enhance students' understanding and appreciation of the Singapore Story and also the significance of our multiculturalism and heritage through a customised learning experience.

This experience helps students to develop the knowledge, skills and motivation to adapt effectively in cross-cultural environments.

OVERSEAS TRIPS

Temasek's re-introduction of overseas trips post-2023 strengthens students understanding of cross-cultural skills through exchange programmes with overseas schools.

With school trips to Thailand, Malaysia and other ASEAN countries, these overseas trips give students a first-hand experience of interacting with students from other cultures.

The following table captures the learning outcomes of Lower Secondary students in the various domains.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
COLLABORATION Students are able to explore and evaluate ideas with others through effective use of collaborative skills.
COMMUNICATION Students are able to explain information and ideas coherently for specific purposes in both the written and oral forms.
CROSS-CULTURAL APPLICATION Students demonstrate curiosity and motivation to learn about another culture. Students demonstrate understanding that there are three categories of human behaviour (universal, cultural, personal).
KNOWLEDGE APPLICATION Students are able to use existing knowledge, and assess and analyse information from a variety of sources, to generate new knowledge.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Students are able to use ICT tool(s) efficiently to communicate and collaborate with others. Students are able to acquire new knowledge of a culture and cultural practices through efficient use of ICT tool(s).