Emotions rate high in Nanjing pilot course on interpersonal skills

More than 30,000 primary and junior high school students in Nanjing are taking a pilot emotional intelligence, or EQ, course, which education experts say will help them control their emotions and learn interpersonal skills.

“One of the shortcomings of China’s education is paying too much attention to test scores instead of students’ emotional health,” said Chen Dingbao, director of the city’s Luhe district educational bureau. “Many students are trying to deal with unhealthy emotions and have to face the consequences. That’s why we introduced the EQ course.”

In EQ classes, teachers try to create a friendly atmosphere and explain psychological concepts by telling stories, and conduct psychological testing and role plays, Chen said.

Yang Xue, a second-grader, said she learned what to do after she quarrels with friends.

“It’s normal that I feel angry or sad, but after a while I need to calm down and think about the reason we had the quarrel,” said the 7-yearold. “If it’s my fault, I should apologize to my friends. If it’s not, I should forgive them when they say sorry.”

She said she had also learned how important it is to face one’s true feelings and show her love to her parents and the people around, such as by giving them hugs and writing letters.

Gu Li, director of the city’s primary school training center, said students should learn EQ through many interesting forms in the class instead of being simply lectured.

“Through various forms of interaction the students can remember the EQ knowledge better, and know how to apply the knowledge to real life,” Gu said.

In the textbooks, compiled by educational experts and experienced teachers, many topics are provided for students, teachers and parents to discuss, including what to do if you are accused of stealing from classmates, if your parents check your stuff without your permission, and if people do not like you even though you try hard.

The textbooks have been distributed to all primary and junior high schools in Luhe district. The books include three volumes, which are designed for students in grades one and two, three to six, and seven to nine.

“From the research and feedback of teachers, primary students care more about relationships between relatives, junior high students care more about relationships between classmates, and senior high students the relationships between genders,” Gu said.

“Relationship issues between genders will possibly be included in the textbooks’ second edition, and more stories and problems that bother students will be analyzed in the books.” Parents have welcomed the EQ course. Jiang Shan, 34, whose daughter attends Luhe Experimental Primary School, said her girl surprised her after the class.

“Many Chinese children, especially those with no siblings, such as my 9-year-old, are self-centered, fragile and irresponsible,” she said. “I was moved by her one evening when she told me how much she loved me and then cuddled me close.

“She now cleans the dishes together with me every day, and takes care of the green plants on the balcony by herself.”

Wu Xiaomao, director of the Nanjing educational commission, said a person’s EQ is strongly influenced by the education received in childhood.

“Schools and parents should train and improve the students’ EQ at an early age,” he said.

However, Xiong Bingqi, vice-president of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, doubted the effect of the EQ course and the role that the educational bureau played in distributing the EQ knowledge textbooks.

“It’s good that schools have made efforts to improve the EQ of students, but a course, some textbooks and some psychological concepts are far from enough,” Xiong said. “Every student has different psychological conditions, and one textbook cannot be applied to all.

“Schools should be encouraged to train students in their own ways instead of being asked to teach the same textbook.”

Xiong said the best way to improve students’ EQ is to let them participate in more social activities.

Chen from Luhe’s education bureau said psychologists will be invited to schools to give lectures in future EQ classes, and parents will be asked to receive professional training, too.

The EQ course may be introduced in all Nanjing districts after the pilot program. Contact the writers at cangwei@chinadaily. com.cn and songwenwei@chinadaily.com.cn