Pre-Trip Learning Session

​pre-trip learning session

By Teach Tech

1. Understand Chinese culture and etiquette (dos & don’ts).
   

2. Learn about the role of the Singapore Consulate and prepare curious questions to ask during visit.
   
   

3. Friendship band making.

​

Learning objectives

Word Cloud

What do you know about China? In 1 to 2 words

China Culture:
Dos & Don’ts

Dos (Greetings & respect)

• Greet with a polite nod or handshake (not too firm)

• Address people using titles & surnames
  (e.g., Mr. Wang, 王老师, 王先生/女士)

• Show respect to elders & teachers first

Dos (Dining etiquette)

• Wait for the host to start eating first

• Try a bit of every dish offered to show appreciation

• Place chopsticks neatly on the chopstick rest (not in the bowl)

• Toasting: If you clink glasses, hold your glass slightly lower than the elder/host

• Do not waste food, pass excess food to other tables

• *Check for food allergy before eating

Dos (Gifting)

• Present and receive gifts with both hands

• Gifts may be politely refused once or twice before accepted (it’s a sign of humility)

Dos (General Behavior)

• Be punctual for meetings and visits

• Be modest, listen more than speak at first

• Show interest in Chinese culture, history, and language, e.g., Nanjing Massa Museum

• Befriend students of schools we will be visiting (not just your own cliques)

• Greet and thank the teachers and students

Don'ts (Greetings & Behavior)

• Don’t use someone’s first name only unless they invite you to

• Don’t compare China negatively with other countries

• Don’t raise your voice or show frustration in public
  (loss of “face”)

• Don’t assume people will understand English — be patient

Don'ts (Dining etiquette)

• Don’t stick chopsticks upright in rice
  (resembles incense at funerals)

• Don’t point with chopsticks or tap them on the bowl

• Don’t waste food or leave your plate untouched

Don'ts (taboos)

• Avoid giving clocks, white flowers, or sharp objects as gifts (associated with funerals or separation)

• Avoid the number 4 (sounds like “death” in Chinese)

• Don’t talk openly about politics, government criticism, or sensitive topics (e.g., Taiwan, Tibet)

Multiple Choice

During dining, we should always wait for the host to start eating first.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Gifts can be grab with a hand.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Good to compare Taiwan with Shanghai.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Sticking chopstick up is not a sign of respect.

• True

• False

Safety

safety (basic)

• Pay attention to safety at all times. Comply with all instructions given by guides/teachers

• Look out for one another & inform the teacher if you/your friend is not well

• Stay in your groups. Do not move away from your group. Always inform your group leader if you need to leave the group eg. for the toilet. Go in pairs

safety (valuables)

• Do not show off your valuables eg. headphones. 

• Do not buy or bring home any banned items or contraband eg., weapon/sharp objects/Vietnam war artefacts. If unsure, check with the teachers before you buy anything.

• Check for personal valuables before and after each activity.

safety (Hotel room)

• When first entering your room, check for any damages. Inform your teacher IC if there are any concerns.

• Take good care of the room / the room keys / hotel property. Do NOT remove anything from the room. 

• Always lock the door. If you hear knocking/the doorbell, CHECK that you know who the person is before opening.

safety (Hotel room)

• Leaving the hotel on your own

• Having a party in your room 

• Using swimming pool/fitness facilities 

• Sleeping late beyond lights out. 

• Going into the room of someone of the opposite gender is super not okay

• Hanging out at the lobby

Singapore consulate

Poll

Embassy is the same as Consulate.

• Yes

• No

Embassy vs. Consulate

• Embassy → located in a country’s capital city, handles political & diplomatic relations

• Consulate → located in major cities, helps citizens abroad and promotes ties

Singapore Consulate in Shanghai

• Represents Singapore’s interests in Shanghai.

• Supports Singaporeans living, studying, or traveling in the region.

• Promotes business, trade, and cultural exchanges between Singapore & China.

Consulate (What does the consulate do?)

✈️ For Singapore Citizens

• Help with lost/stolen passports.

• Assist in emergencies (accidents, arrests, natural disasters).

• Provide information for travel safety.

💼 For Singapore Businesses

• Promote trade & investment in Shanghai.

• Connect Singapore companies with Chinese partners.

Multiple Choice

Embassy is the same as Consulate.

• Yes

• No

Drag and Drop

Embassy is located in a country's ​

Placeholder

, handles ​

Placeholder

& ​

Placeholder

.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

capital city

political

diplomatic relations

major cities

citizens abroad

trade

business

Categorize

Options (9)

Help with lost/stolen passports

Assist in emergencies (accidents, arrests, natural disasters)

Provide information for travel safety

Promote trade & investment in Shanghai

Connect Singapore companies with Chinese partners

Support student and school exchanges

Organize cultural events to showcase Singapore

Protect Singapore’s image and interests overseas

Strengthen friendship between Singapore & China

What does the Consulate do?

For Singapore Citizens

For Singapore Businesses

For Education & Culture

In General

brain-storming questions

If you could ask a Singapore diplomat anything, what would it be?

Task

1. Get into your group
2. Research on the Singapore Consulate in Shanghai
3. Craft 3 questions that you would like to as the diplomat during our visit
4. Share the questions you have crafted after 10 min

brain-storming questions

If you could ask a Singapore diplomate anything, what would it be?

e.g.,

“What is the biggest challenge you face when ..."
"How do you ..."
"What advice would you give to Singaporeans who ..."

Open Ended

Share the 3 questions your group crafted.

Grouping

Grouping

1. XIN JUNXIN

2.NUR ALIYA FILYANI BINTE MOHAMMAD NORHADI

3.TAN LE THANH NGUYEN

4.CASEY CHAN SHIRU

5.AKELLA SANTOSHI SRIYA

6.LAU ZHEN YU
* Mr Er

1.CHAI JIE EN

2.LIN ZHENGRUI

3.SOH YEE JIE

4.BLESSING HTIKE

5.VRIYA PRASHANTKUMAR SONI
* Ms June

1.KEVIN KOH ZHAO CHUANG

2. NG HWEE TSIN

3.OOI JING HAN

4.CHAU ZHI WEI, JOY

5.JULIA THET @ KYAL CIN KO

6.TAY SHI XUAN
* Ms Theodora

1.AISY ESHAN BIN MUHAMMAD NURHANIF

2.OH RUIXIU

3.ANNA LOCK SOO EN

4.SEAH KAI YU, GABRIELLE

5.LIU YIYANG
* Mr Wang