Huang Liming
GAC graduate
Nanjing Jinling High School, China
"The GAC program is different from other programs. It cultivates independent learning, team spirit, and research skills. When preparing for a presentation on a massive social problem, students are required to break complex tasks into parts and steps: independently searching for information, settling down a thesis, and giving enough reasoning for the claim. During the process of preparing for the speech, students logically use pieces of statistics and evidence from reliable sources to support their claims and finally relate claims to the thesis. Therefore, a large proportion of students in our school report that their writing skills, the ability of logical reasoning, and critical thinking skills have been improved effectively.
Since the GAC program gives enough opportunities for students to practice public speaking, many students have already overcome the stage fright and thus will no longer stutter or feel great anxiety when faced with presentations. Besides preparing students to be capable to work independently, GAC fosters cooperation ability and a holistic perspective on group work as well. Group projects enable students to adapt to various social situations they may encounter in the future and thus elevate their interpersonal skills; consequently, after they enter universities, they may find it less challenging to develop their own voice in relation to peers while still helping the whole team to make a consensus."