New Trend Citizenship,Economics and Society Module 1.

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Revision Notes Self-understanding and life skills

Module 1.1 Self-understanding and life skills

Learning objectives:
1. Self-understanding, self-esteem and self-confidence
2. Emotion management and facing failures
3. Effective time management and its importance
4. Understanding media and information literacy and its importance
5. Developing life plans for ourselves

Chapter 1 Self-understanding, self-esteem and self-confidence

A The many faces of “self”
Keywords:
1. self 自我
It refers to a person's personalities, preferences and points of view.
2. real self 真我
It refers to who you actually are and how you see yourselves according to your own
characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, etc.
3. perceived self 別人眼中的我
It refers to people’s views of us.
4. values 價值觀
They refer to the opinions and impressions people made for all people, events and
objects in society and natural phenomena.
5. ideal self 理想我
It refers to who you want to be.

Values:
 Appreciation
 Self-reflection
 Individuality

Real self

 In general, the real self is inborn. However, it may also change due to the
influence of external factors.

Perceived self

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New Trend Citizenship,Economics and Society Module 1.1
Revision Notes Self-understanding and life skills

 Our personalities, attitudes, values and the ways of doing things may vary in
different situations. This is because we have different identities and roles in
different situations.

Ideal self

 Our behaviours and thoughts may change accordingly in order to realise our goals.

B Self-esteem and self-confidence

Keywords:
1. self-esteem 自尊
It refers to how we see ourselves.
2. self-confidence 自信
It refers to our positive view of ourselves and our belief in our abilities, identities,
achievements and values.
3. peer 朋輩
People in a peer relationship share similar interests, values and code of conduct.
They also have a sense of belonging in the group.

Values:
 Individuality
 Optimism
 Proactivity
 Appreciation of others

Self-esteem

 Our self-esteem grows when we achieve our goals.

Self-confidence

 With self-confidence, we can make progress and have the ability to achieve our
goals.

Formation of self-esteem and self-confidence

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Revision Notes Self-understanding and life skills

 The formation of teenagers’ self-esteem and self-confidence involves how they

view themselves subjectively and how they treat other people’s views on them.

Factors affecting self-esteem and self-confidence

 Individual: The degree to which teenagers are content with their own figures and
others' comments on them.
 Family: Parenting styles can affect development of self-esteem and self-
confidence of teenagers.
 Peer: With peer recognition, teens can have positive views of themselves.
 Academic performance: Teenagers’ academic performance affects the way they
see themselves.

Importance of self-esteem and self-confidence on personal development

 Taking a positive approach to life: Teenagers with higher self-esteem and

confidence will affirm and love themselves.
 Stable and positive emotions: Teenagers with stronger self-esteem and
confidence can face challenges calmly.

Ways to help teenagers establish self-esteem and self-confidence

 Accepting weaknesses and discovering strengths: Teenagers can learn about

their weaknesses, discover their strengths and develop positive emotions.
 Taking part in activities to gain self-confidence: Not only can they expand their
social circles but also help improve their personal abilities.
 Setting appropriate goals: Teenagers should set suitable goals according to their
abilities.

Chapter 2 Facing the challenges of growth

A Understanding and managing emotion
Keywords:
1. emotion 情緒
It refers to the feeling that people have when touched by some external things. Such
feelings include happiness, anger, sadness, joy, etc.

Values:

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 Perseverance
 Optimism
 Proactivity
 Critical thinking
 Self-reflection
 Aspiration

What is emotion

 Emotions emerge when our mind or body is stimulated, they can be divided into
two types: positive emotions and negative emotions.

Managing our emotions appropriately

 Getting relaxed before handling problems..

 Expressing our emotions appropriately.
 Asking for help..
 Changing of mindset.

B Managing stress and anxiety

Keywords:
1. stress 壓力
We feel nervous psychologically or uncomfortable physically when facing changes,
difficulties or challenges in life.
2. anxiety 焦慮
A response that occurs in the body when facing stress. It involves continuous
feelings of worry or fear..
3. anxiety disorder 焦慮症
Anxiety disorder is a type of mental disorder in which patients repeatedly and
continuously feel anxious, worried, or fearful, showing excessive worries about the
things that happen or may happen in their lives, and even feeling worried or fearful
for no apparent reason.
4. depression 抑鬱症
Depression is a mental illness in which patients are immersed in a prolonged state
of sadness, their self-esteem decreases, and they lose interest in everything,
including activities they previously enjoyed. Patients with depression not only
suffer from emotional distress, but their physical functions, daily routines, eating

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Revision Notes Self-understanding and life skills

habits, and learning abilities are also affected, and they may even have suicidal
thoughts.

Values:
 Optimism
 Proactivity
 Self-reflection

Definition of stress and anxiety

 Once the situation is resolved, the stress will dissipate.

 Sometimes, even in the absence of any threat, anxiety does not ease.

Sources of stress and anxiety

 Rapid changes will happen to teenagers physiologically and psychologically

during their growth phase.
 Teenagers face heavy stress because they have to play different roles at home and
at school, in the society and among peers.

Influences of stress and anxiety on the growth of teenagers

 Positive influences: People with a positive attitude can always be more focused
and perform better under stress.
 Negative influences: Too much stress and continuous anxiety can damage our
daily lives, physical and mental health, and interpersonal relationships.

Ways to deal with stress and anxiety

 Adopting positive attitudes: Do not evade difficulties. Divide the objective into
several parts and pursue them gradually. Make plans according to personal
abilities and time.
 Motivating ourselves: Believe in ourselves to conquer difficulties. Reward
ourselves upon successful achievement of objectives.
 Relaxation: Read beneficial books and articles. Participate in moderate exercises.
Join groups or artistic activities. Maintain enough sleep.
 Seeking help: Talk to friends, teachers, and social workers. Seek help from

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Revision Notes Self-understanding and life skills

psychiatrists when necessary.

C Enhancing resilience to overcome difficulties and challenges

Keywords:
1. resilience 抗逆力
Resilience is an inherent potential of human. It refers to people's abilities to adapt to
crises or difficulties, make adjustments and recover physical and mental health.
2. sense of competence 效能感
Sense of competence is one of the three elements of resilience. The sense of
competence includes four skills: managing emotions, interacting socially, solving
problems and setting goals.
3. sense of belonging 歸屬感
Sense of belonging is one of the three elements of resilience. When we feel the care
and support from people around us, and our contribution is well affirmed and things
go the way as expected, the sense of belonging will takes shape.
4. sense of optimism 樂觀感
Sense of optimism is one of the three elements of resilience. It refers to a belief that
the future is hopeful. Optimistic people are positive. They also face up to challenges
bravely, and believe there is chance of being successful as long as they are willing
to try.

Values:
 Perseverance
 Optimism
 Proactivity

What is resilience

 Three elements of resilience: Sense of competence, sense of belonging and sense

of optimism.
 Resilience enables us to face challenges with confidence and composure.

Ways to strengthen resilience

 Enhancing sense of competence: Expressing emotions appropriately. Enhancing

the ability to solve problems. Setting goals properly. Fighting on despite repeated
setbacks.

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 Enhancing sense of belonging: Integrating with our family. Participating more in

school and community work.
 Enhancing sense of optimism: Affirming ourselves. Establishing positive values.

D Time management
Values:
 Self-discipline
 Self-reflection
 Aspiration

The importance of time management

 Good time management helps us to complete tasks efficiently, and lead to a more
fulfilling and healthier life.

Effective time management strategies

 Setting goals: A good goal setting should be achievable. We should check our
progress regularly to increase the chances of achieving our goals.
 Making timetable: We should make timetable carefully and should not fill every
time slot.
 Setting priorities: We can set priorities according to the importance and urgency
of the tasks.
 Avoiding delay: Most of the reasons for delay can be solved as long as we make
up our minds to do so.
 Improving efficiency: Doing what is within our capabilities. Taking regular
breaks. Maintaining physical and mental health.

E Media and information literacy

Keywords:
1. media 媒體
Media refers to communication channels that deliver and spread information.
2. fake news 假新聞
It refers to the intentional spread of information containing false content, taken out
of context or with hateful intent. Moreover, fake news will use exaggerated
headlines to obtain benefits or emotional release.
3. content farm 內容農場

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It refers to some websites or businesses create internet articles in order to increase

click rates and make advertising profits. These articles are copied and pasted from
other websites, which lack information sources and even spread misleading
information emotionally charged information.
4. media and information literacy 媒體和資訊素養
It refers to the knowledge and skills we need to have when receiving and sharing
media information.
5. fact check 查證
The source and content of information, including time, date, location, etc., should
be verified for accuracy from government institutions, credible media, and the
parties involved in the event.
6. doxing 起底
Doxing is an unlawful act. It refers to the act of uncovering someone's private
information, such as their personal details and photos, and making them public,
along with verbal abuse and personal attacks.

Values:
 Self-discipline
 Self-reflection
 Law-abidingness
 Respect for others
 Commitment

Our relationship with the media

 Media provide not only important knowledge and information, but also a lot of
entertainment.
 The types of media include traditional media, electronic media, digital media and
social media.

The impacts of media information on teenagers

 Benefits: Expanding social circle. Broadening horizon. Providing emotional

support.
 Risks: False information. Spreading of negative values. Engaging in inappropriate
behavior. Encouraging negative consumption patterns.

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The importance of media and information literacy

 False media information can cause negative impacts on our lives and the society.
 Media and information literacy includes ability to analyse media information and
ability to create media content.

Analyzing media information correctly

 Examining, analysing and evaluating information content carefully.

 Judging media information content with the correct attitudes.
 Be careful with account management and protect personal privacy when using
social media.

The correct way to create media content

 Be careful with our words and actions and be responsible "netizens".

F Life planning
Keywords:
1. life planning 生涯規劃
It refers to setting clear goals for ourselves at different stages of life.
2. Continuing Education Fund 持續進修基金
Launched by the Government, the Continuing Education Fund provides financial
assistance for individuals who are interested in furthering their education, to
alleviate their financial burden.
3. Diploma Yi Jin Programme 毅進文憑課程
The Government launched the programme to provide an alternative pathway for
learners to obtain a formal qualification for the purposes of employment and further
study.
4. Qualifications Framework 資歷架構
The Qualifications Framework is a hierarchy of qualifications established by the
government, which sets up qualification standards and provides the articulation
ladders between different levels of qualifications. The QF can help working people
set clear goals and directions for obtaining quality assured qualifications

Values:
 Self-reflection

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 Aspiration

Why do we need life planning

 Life planning helps us understand our aspirations, interests, and abilities.

 Life planning helps to cultivate self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-planning
skills.
 Life planning is important in making decisions about our education and career
development.

Methods to make a life plan

 Self-understanding: We should understand our interests, abilities, personalities

and values.
 Understanding the prospects of different development paths: We can set early-
stage development paths and do the preparation.
 Setting goals: We can divide goals into short-term, medium-term, and long-term
goals and achieve them gradually.

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