Here are the discussion questions for today's CE lesson.
Integrating Foreigners in
Singapore
Adapted from the Reach (Reaching
Everyone for Active Citizenry@ Home) Website
http://www.reach.gov.sg/Portals/0/Blog/Snapshot/Archive/Integrating%20foreigners%20in%20Singapore.pdf
Some contributors to the online forum on the REACH website expressed
unhappiness over the rapid influx of foreigners into Singapore. Several felt
that local citizens should be accorded more privileges than PRs, since
Singaporeans were more likely to pledge allegiance to the country, unlike PRs
who might leave the country once they had achieved their goals.
Contributors further lamented that Singaporeans were facing strong
competition from foreigners for jobs, especially amidst the current downturn
where job opportunities were already limited. In this respect, a few hoped that
the Government would not only lower the foreign worker quota, but also impose
more stringent standards when issuing employment passes and work permits to
foreign workers.
Notwithstanding all these concerns, there were those who acknowledged
that foreigners do contribute positively to our nation. They believe that the presence
of foreigners was necessary to enhance the level of economic vibrancy in
Singapore. Nonetheless, they note that the foreigners need to integrate into
Singapore society, and to do so, the contributors felt that both Singaporeans
and foreigners should make an equal effort. For example, they feel that
foreigners should adapt to the local way of life and brush up on their command
of the English language so as to facilitate communication between the locals
and the foreigners.
Hot
Bites
"While
I agree that Singapore's declining birth rate is a valid concern as it will
affect our economy and hence our very survival, I do not agree that looking up
for so called 'foreign talent' to make up the short fall is a solution."
- Raymond
Lo Wan Mou, via discussion forum
"Foreign
talents are required if they can open more job openings for Singaporeans, but
it seems that these foreign talents are robbing jobs away from Singapore
talents..."
-
Unemployed Singaporean, via discussion forum
"I
can see why MM Lee would like Singapore to accept more foreign talent because
it is important for Singapore to be economically vibrant."
-
Xynic, via discussion
"I
like to ask whether it is solely the citizens' responsibility to integrate
foreign talents...it takes 2 hands to clap...When we present ourselves in other
countries, one of the vital things to assimilate us with the locals is to speak
their majority spoken language."
-
Pink
IC no use, via discussion forum
Discussion Questions:
1. To what extent do you agree that the
relationship shared between foreigners and citizens is a symbiotic [1]one? [Concepts/ Ideas]
2.
In the article, the author highlights several
traits to define the Singaporean Identity. To what extent do you agree with them? [Points of View]
3.
Based on the article, what are your thoughts
about how we as Singaporeans should build our identity?
·
Use the post-activity reflection activity in the Generic Activity For Secondary Level to
get students to reflect on their learning.
Post-Activity
Reflection Template
Think Back:
- What are some of your personal thoughts and feelings?
- What were some points of discussion that you found interesting and/or
meaningful? Why?
|
Learn From It:
- What have you learnt from this activity?
- What are the values you have learnt and why do you want to uphold these
values?
|
Do It Better:
- How do you think you can transfer your learning in your everyday life?
- How would you think or act in the future as a result of this experience
/ sharing?
|
Yes, we mutually benefit one another as they financially.benefit us while we are able to provide job opportunities for them.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Singapore has a short history, we should try to relook at the history and find more things to feel proud as a Singaporean.
1. We do not agree that the relationship is symbiotic. This is so as the continued influx of foreigners, if not stabilized, will cause our country to be dependent upon foreign talent to govern our country.
ReplyDelete3. We should cultivate a culture that comprises of the different cultures of the Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasians. This will be something unique for us Singaporeans. Maybe we can also develop Singlish as a language for our communication among Singaporeans?
ReplyDeleteKokyin
Elgin Patt, Pei Shan and Sher Li:
ReplyDeleteWe agree that Singaporeans and foreigners share a symbiotic relationship, because Singapore has a very small population which cannot cope with the large demand of manpower if only citizens are present. In turn, they earn more money to improve the standard of living for themselves and their families. There is also a need to ensure that the amount of resources in Singapore can support everyone in the country and to create a balance between the influx of foreigners and the number of opportunities available for Singaporeans. We need foreigners for a bigger market, so that investors would invest in Singapore and this would highly benefit our economy.
3) It can be done by building facilities where Singaporeans and foreign workers can interact.
ReplyDeleteDo you agree that there are such facilities currently available? There are also programs available for all citizens and foreigners (e.g. courses at Community Centres). What are possible reasons that foreigners do not participate in these courses?
Delete1) I feel that the so called "symbiotic" relationship is more of 1 way, rather than 2 ways. The foreigners come to Singapore to work, and try to integrate into the society, whereas the Singaporean citizens ostracize the foreigners, and are unwilling to interact.
ReplyDelete2) Singapore identity: A lot of complaining, not admitting that they themselves are wrong, always feel that FTs are not good for them
I feel that Complaining is inherent in the Singapore DNA, and that this is very apparent in most people nowadays. Additionally, most Singaporeans always feel that they are always right and everyone else is wrong. This is a very stubborn mindset that can be found in many Singaporeans. Lastly, Singaporeans do feel that FTs are taking their jobs, and they are very unhappy with them.
3) I feel that Singaporeans should build up their identity positively, which can be done, if they complain less, and decide to look at the positive side of everything, instead of adhering to their "kiasu" mindset that they have to always be first in everything
Would you say there are various jobs available for Singaporeans, but due to a image / labour intensive, etc... Singaporeans rely on foreigners?
DeleteThus, the Singaporean mindset is the problem...
How can we change this mindset?
1. Yes. Since there are many foreigners in our country, we have to learn how to communicate and interact with them. Both the foreigners and the citizens will need to cooperate in order to maintain a peaceful relationship between both parties.
ReplyDelete1. To what extent do you agree that the relationship shared between foreigners and citizens is a symbiotic one? [Concepts/ Ideas]
ReplyDeleteI agree with this statement to a large extent, as they can provide manual labour services to us while we supplement them with much needed income. At at the same time, some of them bring in economic value for us, thus helping us economically. Thus, this relationship is symbiotic as both parties benefit greatly.
Valuable information and excellent post you got here! I would like to thank you for sharing your thoughts and time into the stuff you post.
ReplyDeleteonline news