iTHINK - Issue 8

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History. Does, and should the past matter? I think it does, and should.

I first became intrigued by the past when I visited Egypt many years ago. The towering pyramids of Egypt fascinated me, but not as much as the beliefs of afterlife that lay as the foundation of these wonders of the world. In this issue, I share with you my journey into secret passageways inside these pyramids, revealing what (or who) lies beneath.

History teaches us about how quirky humans can get. Read the story about the young Chinese maiden who had to bind her feet, enduring unbelievable pain, at the tender age of six – just so that she would be able to find a rich suitor a few years later. In our article on spittoons, find out what old ladies in China, robust cowboys in North America and fine ladies in Europe had in common.

The past holds great lessons for us, too. From Adolf Hitler, we learn how a leader should not be, and from Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi, we learn about the true virtues of humankind. Of course, history is after all ‘his-story’, a version of the past according to one person or a group of people. It is naturally prone to be biased. That is why learning about history is a great lesson on learning to be a critical thinker. Do not believe everything blindly. Instead, learn to question to unveil the true reality for yourself.

This issue also finds inspiration from “a true giant of history” (US President Barack Obama, 2015) and Singapore’s highly-respected founding father, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Take a leaf or two from this visionary leader’s life as you read about the values that governed him.

I hope you love the read.

iTHINK Magazine Description:

The iThink magazine is a most interesting read to boost the language and critical thinking skills of the upper- secondary students (and high-ability lower-secondary students). With an engaging mix of thought-provoking articles and lighter stimulating reads, iThink is the one-stop solution to making reading both a leisure and an intellectual pleasure to students.
Content in each issue is organised according to a theme, which could range from a Food Issue to that of Science and Technology, and History and Art. We provide an in-depth exploration of issues that relate to the theme, accompanied by thought-provoking questions, word banks and sources for further reading or viewing (YouTube video links). In each issue, you will also find regular articles on travel (Wanderlust) by our ever-wandering travel writer, a life story of at least one inspirational person (Inspire-Aspire), a discussion on common language errors (Ask GRAMMAr), student essays with comments by the editor (Model Me & Tweak Me) as well as a smattering of trivia and pictorial idioms, making for a more enriching reading experience. Student worksheets at the end of the magazine serve as a good workout for the students.
Any student who appreciates an engaging take on language education and critical thinking would love an issue of iThink.