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Our Classics Recitation Programme
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One of the highly acclaimed features of Catiline is that we pioneered the introduction of “Children’s Classics Reading and Recitation” (currently in Chinese only). In our campuses, one often can hear students chanting traditional Chinese classic texts such as “Rules for Students”, “The Three Characters Text”, “The Thousand Word Classic”, “Confucius’ Analects”, Tang poems, etc. A most spectacular sight!
This is not a widely practiced learning method in current times, and often summarily dismissed as “rote learning. Actually, until recent times (100 years ago) this learning method was practiced in China for over 1,000 years with impressive results, and proven to be consistent with the latest scientific theories in neurological learning research.
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Let us try to understand it objectively and more deeply.
- What is “Children’s Classics Reading and Recitation”?
- Is this a religious practice? What do the children read, the Bible, Buddhist Scriptures, or other religious texts?
- Kindergarten children are so young, can they read such classic texts?
- Educationalists are against “memorization by rote learning”, is this practice going against this principle?
- The classic texts are so difficult, can the children understand them?
- Learning should be from simple to complex, from easy to difficult; is it not too early to have the children learn such difficult texts?
- Will the children find it hard to read such difficult texts?
- What is the point of learning these classics if the children cannot comprehend them?
- Are these classics not antiquated and out of date? What is the purpose of learning them?
- We (parents) never learnt these before, why should my children learn them now?
- Which classic texts would Catiline teach the children?
- How would Catiline’s teachers teach the children to read the classics?
- We (parents) do not know these classics, how can I teach the children to read them?
- Who invented this method of “Children’s Classics Reading and Recitation”?
- Are there endorsements from educational leaders in Hong Kong?
- Are there tests for classics recitation?
- Do parents approve of this?
1. What is "Children's Classics Reading and Recitation"?
Briefly speaking, this is a learning method whereby children are led to directly read classic texts, and practice repeatedly.
This has been proven, both theoretically and in practice, to be a most effective form of learning which is consistent with human nature and scientific principles.
This has been proven, both theoretically and in practice, to be a most effective form of learning which is consistent with human nature and scientific principles.
2. Is this a religious practice? What do the children read, the Bible, Buddhist Scriptures, or other religious texts?
No. By “classics”, we mean the most precious texts in cultural heritage. Our focus is on traditional Chinese, and the chosen classics include “Rules for Students”, “The Three Characters Text”, “The Thousand Words Classic”, “Confucius’ Analects”, Tang poems, etc.
3. Kindergarten children are so young, can they read such classic texts?
Sure, the children can and actually love to read the classics! Let’s not talk theory for now, and look at some real live demonstrations of Catiline children reading different classic texts!
“The Three Characters Text” (whole, Cantonese)
“Rules for Students” (whole, Cantonese)
“Confucius’ Analects” (selections, Cantonese)
“Confucius’ Analects” (selections, Putonghua)
“The Three Characters Text” (whole, Cantonese)
“Rules for Students” (whole, Cantonese)
“Confucius’ Analects” (selections, Cantonese)
“Confucius’ Analects” (selections, Putonghua)
4. Educationalists are against "memorization by rote learning", is this practice going against this principle?
We are against the practice of forcing memorization by rote learning.But in our practice, we do not force the children to memorize, just to read and enjoy the process of reading.
This is fundamentally very different from some historical practice whereby the children are forced to memorize, and perhaps punished for failing to meet certain levels at prescribed schedules. Of course, young children naturally have great absorption and retention abilities. So, as they happily reading texts a few times, they will naturally remember and be able to recite them easily (the pace will be different for different children). For us, this is a natural, happy effect, but not our objective.
This is fundamentally very different from some historical practice whereby the children are forced to memorize, and perhaps punished for failing to meet certain levels at prescribed schedules. Of course, young children naturally have great absorption and retention abilities. So, as they happily reading texts a few times, they will naturally remember and be able to recite them easily (the pace will be different for different children). For us, this is a natural, happy effect, but not our objective.
5. The classic texts are so difficult, can the children understand them?
This is a most frequently asked question, and involves deeper understanding of the theory and practice of learning itself.
A simple answer is: Yes, the classic texts are so deep and profound, and the children cannot understand them in full. But the objective of “Children’s Classics Reading and Recitation” is not to learn and understand “knowledge”, but to absorb the best of “culture”. Cultural absorption is a gradual process, like agriculture; there is no short cut, but happens naturally in the correct environment. Once absorbed, the texts will “germinate” in oneself, and one will increasingly frequently find them pertinent and useful in dealing with issues one’s daily lives. The true “understanding” of the classics will be a life-long process. As such, who can say that one truly “understands” and classic text in full?
A simple answer is: Yes, the classic texts are so deep and profound, and the children cannot understand them in full. But the objective of “Children’s Classics Reading and Recitation” is not to learn and understand “knowledge”, but to absorb the best of “culture”. Cultural absorption is a gradual process, like agriculture; there is no short cut, but happens naturally in the correct environment. Once absorbed, the texts will “germinate” in oneself, and one will increasingly frequently find them pertinent and useful in dealing with issues one’s daily lives. The true “understanding” of the classics will be a life-long process. As such, who can say that one truly “understands” and classic text in full?
6. Learning should be from simple to complex, from easy to difficult; is it not too early to have the children learn such difficult texts?
“Learning knowledge” should be from simple to complex, from easy to difficult. But “Children’s Classics Reading and Recitation” is not to learn and understand “knowledge”, but to absorb the best of “culture, and should be done the earlier the better.
This is like planting seeds, and allow it to grow and prosper naturally as the children grow. We have all learnt of great scholars or artists who were nurtured in families of scholarship or art… and they absorb them naturally from very young, which become foundations for their future achievements.
This is like planting seeds, and allow it to grow and prosper naturally as the children grow. We have all learnt of great scholars or artists who were nurtured in families of scholarship or art… and they absorb them naturally from very young, which become foundations for their future achievements.
7. Will the children find it hard to read such difficult texts?
Well, you have seen the demonstrations of the children reading different classic texts, do you feel the children find them difficult or not enjoyable? We use methods consistent with children’s natural learning abilities, and as they read, they would simply think that they are singing or playing games.
Here is an example on how the children learn to read Classics.
Here is an example on how the children learn to read Classics.
8. What is the point of learning these classics if the children cannot comprehend them?
Well, the benefits of “Children’s Classics Reading and Recitation” are so plentiful!
Experience has shown that it can help improve
Experience has shown that it can help improve
- memory skill (which is great naturally and will be further developed),
- ability to focus,
- develop good character and manners,
- language skills (which will be greatly enhanced),
- habits and interest in self-learning,
- achievements in other subjects of learning, etc.
9. Are these Classics not antiquated and out dated? What is the purpose of learning them?
These classics are part of our precious cultural heritage, which have survived the tests of history for centuries up to 2,000 years! The reason why they still exist is because they deal with truth and human nature. Knowledge and technologies can become out of date or replaced. Truth and human nature are never out of date and cannot be replaced. Learning the classics is learning about how to be good and truthful, and this is an ageless theme.
10. We (parents) never learnt these before, why should my children learn them now?
Because it is good for your children!
Many parents want and often force their children to learn skills which they have learnt before (such as the piano, ballet, painting, martial arts, mathematics, language, etc.), because they believe that these will be good for them. As explained before (Q.8), “Children’s Classics Reading and Recitation” bring plentiful benefits for the children, and certainly should be encouraged once you understand the reasons behind.
Many parents want and often force their children to learn skills which they have learnt before (such as the piano, ballet, painting, martial arts, mathematics, language, etc.), because they believe that these will be good for them. As explained before (Q.8), “Children’s Classics Reading and Recitation” bring plentiful benefits for the children, and certainly should be encouraged once you understand the reasons behind.
11. Which classic text would Catiline teach the children?
Our chosen Classics include “Rules for Students”, “The Three Characters Text”, “The Thousand Words Classic”, “The Great Learning”, “Confucius’ Analects”, “Lao Tzu (Dao De Jing)”, Tang poems, etc. We have specially edited these texts to be suitable to use and learn by the children as well as parents.
12. How would Catiline's teachers teach the children to read the Classics?
The “teaching method” is actually surprisingly simple. Young children generally obey their teachers; so, all the teacher needs to do is to say “Children, follow me and read together”!
Apart from this, we also use techniques to create environments which the children find interesting and lively. They often think that they are simply playing or singing! See how we teach the children to read the classics.
Apart from this, we also use techniques to create environments which the children find interesting and lively. They often think that they are simply playing or singing! See how we teach the children to read the classics.
13. We (parents) do not know these Classics, how can I teach my child to read them?
All you need to do would be to spend 10-15 minutes to read together with the children; don’t worry, you do not need to know them yourself, and your child would not know or mind!
If you are really not confident enough to do this, you can simply put on the CD and read together with your children. After a while, often your children would have learnt better than you, and you can allow or ask them to “correct” you; and that is also a great way to improve parent-child relationship. If you have any particular questions, please feel free to discuss with the teachers at Catiline.
If you are really not confident enough to do this, you can simply put on the CD and read together with your children. After a while, often your children would have learnt better than you, and you can allow or ask them to “correct” you; and that is also a great way to improve parent-child relationship. If you have any particular questions, please feel free to discuss with the teachers at Catiline.
14. Who invented this method of "Children's Classics Reading and Recitation"?
This is a well proven learning method which was traditionally practiced for over 1,000 years in China, and was not invented by any person in particular.***
Unfortunately, about 100 years ago, due to profound changes in history, we chose to greatly abandon our own traditional culture, and tried to import western culture, and this method was gradually lost. About 20 years ago, many scholars began to realize that this was a great loss, and called to re-introduce our great cultural heritage, including this learning method. This was started in Taiwan, and now increasingly popular in Mainland China.
(***In fact, there are similar methodologies in teaching English children learning Shakespeare, Jewish children learning the Torah, German children learning Goethe. We have not implemented this in our English curriculum yet, as it is not the mother tongue of most of our children, and we believe it is more important for them to master the use of the language first at this stage.)
Unfortunately, about 100 years ago, due to profound changes in history, we chose to greatly abandon our own traditional culture, and tried to import western culture, and this method was gradually lost. About 20 years ago, many scholars began to realize that this was a great loss, and called to re-introduce our great cultural heritage, including this learning method. This was started in Taiwan, and now increasingly popular in Mainland China.
(***In fact, there are similar methodologies in teaching English children learning Shakespeare, Jewish children learning the Torah, German children learning Goethe. We have not implemented this in our English curriculum yet, as it is not the mother tongue of most of our children, and we believe it is more important for them to master the use of the language first at this stage.)
15. Are there endorsements from educational leaders in Hong Kong?
Many distinguished scholars have identified with, endorsed and expressed great support for our work, including Professor C.F. Lee, Professor C.Y. Sin, Professor M.W. Ho, Professor C.M. Si, Professor L.K. Tang, etc. Please see their messages as follows:
Professor C.F. Lee
Professor C.Y. Sin
Professor C.M. Si
Professor L.K. Tang
Professor C.F. Lee
Professor C.Y. Sin
Professor C.M. Si
Professor L.K. Tang
16. Are these tests for Classics Recitation?
We do not treat “Children’s Classics Reading and Recitation” as a subject of academic learning, and do not administer tests for it.
The International Classics Culture Association is dedicated to the preservation of the heritage of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong, and have worked with us to promote “Children’s Classics Reading and Recitation”. Over 10 years ago, it has worked with the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong to conduct a program of “Classic Elites – Assessment of Knowledge in Traditional Culture”, which include an assessment of ability to master the recitation of Classics. Our school has actively participated in this program, and obtained great results.
The International Classics Culture Association is dedicated to the preservation of the heritage of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong, and have worked with us to promote “Children’s Classics Reading and Recitation”. Over 10 years ago, it has worked with the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong to conduct a program of “Classic Elites – Assessment of Knowledge in Traditional Culture”, which include an assessment of ability to master the recitation of Classics. Our school has actively participated in this program, and obtained great results.
17. Do parents approve of this?
In the past 10+ years, since we introduced this program, we have frequently received endorsements and thanks from parents on it.
In our Annual Opinion Questionnaire for parents, we asked them for the opinion on this program, and regularly received results of over 98% parents who “approve” or “greatly approve” of this program.
Parents' testimonies➡️
In our Annual Opinion Questionnaire for parents, we asked them for the opinion on this program, and regularly received results of over 98% parents who “approve” or “greatly approve” of this program.
Parents' testimonies➡️
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