(Photo: CGTN)
Put on ancient Chinese clothing, pick up Confucius' "Analects," and shake your head while reciting the classical piece of Chinese literature. This is a scene often seen in "Sinology training courses" which have become the newest fad in the booming Chinese children's education industry. At present, more than 4,000 companies offer classes in Sinology, according to Xinhua.
Sinology classes are a particularly popular choice during the summer break. But what's behind the "Sinology for kids" craze?
Thousands of textbooks, overpriced courses
Influenced by the reform of the college entrance examination and the adaptation of teaching materials, in recent years, the sales of Chinese classics have been skyrocketing in both physical and online bookstores, especially classical works including the 18th-century novel “Dream of the Red Chamber” by Cao Xueqi, Confucius' “Analects” and “Record of the Grand Historian,” which chronicles the history of China.
There are over 3,000 different editions of “Dream of the Red Chamber,” the “Analects”, and over 2,000 of “Record of the Grand Historian” on sale, which can cause confusion among buyers, reported Xinhua.
At a Xinhua bookstore in Beijing's Dongcheng district, prices for different editions of the "Analects" range from 14 to 280 yuan.
Many Sinology institutions sell their own textbooks instead, however, the prices of classes that come with their “home-designed" textbooks are exorbitant.
A TV program of the China Media Group reported that a single-subject course of 80 hours is priced at 11,800 yuan (about 1,715 US dollars. The fees for multi-disciplinary parent-child classes are close to 40,000 yuan (about 5,812 US dollars).
No standard for Sinology teachers
Sinology is not equal to Chinese language. With no unified standard for Sinology teachers, the teaching qualities of instructors at those private education institutions vary considerably, with some even being unqualified due to a lack of an actual Sinology degree.
Some institutions have a very complete courseware and their teaching plans are detailed. "A teacher with a relatively good ability to talk in front of the class is able to deliver a proper Sinology course simply by sticking to the curriculum. However, due to a lack of solid knowledge of Sinology, when students ask questions that go beyond the teaching plan, they can often only prevaricate," Cao Shenggao, the dean of the Academy of Sinology at Shaanxi Normal University, told Xinhua.
“Teachers’ qualities are important for Sinology studies. Only those who have received a formal university education and Sinology training can have deeper understanding of Sinology and can explain the core ideological connotation, traditional Chinese virtues and humanistic spirit clearly,” Cao added.
He recommended parents to pick institutes with qualified teachers and regular textbooks for their kids.
Integrating Sinology and modern life
Critics of Sinology classes say that some values conveyed in Chinese classics need to be read in the context of the times they have been written, while others can be integrated into modern society.
Take the "Student's Rules" by Li Yuxiu, for example. In Chinese, Di Zi Gui means "rules for being a good child." Filial piety is emphasized in the book, which is still regarded as an essential value by Chinese society. However, some specific instructions referring to that same value, for example, "If my parents pass away, I will mourn them. I will not decorate my home and I will avoid any festivities," are no longer practiced to that extreme form in today's modern Chinese society.
To respond to the critics and rising public concern, the Chinese Ministry of Education has issued a notice requiring to "seriously investigate and severely punish" illegal school-running activities in the form of "Sinology classes," "sutra-reading classes" and "private schools" offered as after-class activities beyond compulsory education.