TEDA Community College Starts 2023 International Chinese Course

On October 18, the International Chinese Course for the 2023 autumn semester at TEDA Community College officially commenced. This program has enrolled 11 students from various countries, including Russia, Germany, Japan, Nepal, Indonesia, Hungary, and India.

During the first course, a Chinese teacher first led the foreign students in introducing themselves to enhance mutual recognition and understanding, foster interest in learning Chinese, and strengthen their sense of belonging. Some of the students have been in China for two years, while others have only been here for two months. Some have already acquired basic oral Chinese language skills, while others can barely pronounce their names. Based on these self-introductions, the teacher gave each of them a Chinese name and taught them how to say their names and where they are from in Chinese. In a relaxed and lively atmosphere, the students embarked on their Chinese language learning journey. It’s worth noting that one of the students from Nepal, Arun, works in urban area of Tianjin. Upon learning that the TEDA Community College offered Chinese language courses, he traveled over an hour to TEDA to attend the classes. He mentioned, “I work in China, and it’s important for me to learn Chinese. This will help me making friends and greatly benefit my work, studies, and daily life.”

The International Chinese Course primarily targets foreign students with no prior knowledge or weak foundations in the language. Through concentrated and systematic learning, it imparts Chinese language knowledge, establishes Chinese language thinking, and equips students with commonly used Chinese oral expressions and basic dialogues, thereby improving their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. This program includes a total of 10 free public welfare courses, taught by professional teachers hired by the College in collaboration with TEDA’s education and training institutions to ensure the effectiveness of Chinese language instruction.

In the subsequent Chinese language learning activities, TEDA Community College will incorporate Chinese cultural experiences such as Chinese calligraphy, guzheng (a traditional Chinese musical instrument), tea art, and cooking Chinese cuisine to enrich the Chinese language learning content, enhance interest in learning and promote Chinese traditional culture. This program aims to optimize the investment environment in TEDA, tell China’s stories, and spread positive narratives about China.