In November 2025, School of International Education and the School of Literature and Communication jointly organized two sessions of the “International Student Chinese Language Research Workshop” . A distinctive event held in Classroom 601 of the Gezhi Building. Centered on language exchange and cultural experiences, the workshop facilitated cross-cultural interaction between international students and Chinese students from the major Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages in 2023 Grade. Hosted by Yang Sunna and Wei Ying, students from the 2023 TCSOL cohort, the event served both as a window for international students to better understand China and as a practical platform for TCSOL students to hone their teaching and organizational skills.
The first session, held on November 2, carried the theme “Learning Chinese to Connect with the World, Experiencing Culture to Understand China.” An ice-breaking game, “Chinese Name Relay,” quickly eased initial unfamiliarity, allowing international students to reinforce their Chinese expressions through fun interaction. In the “Language Partner Tutorial” segment, TCSOL students engaged in small-group discussions, guiding international students in conversations on everyday topics while addressing their Chinese learning challenges in real-time, achieving mutual growth through two-way communication.
The second session, on November 16, focused on “Dance, Music, and Paper Art, Experiencing China.” TCSOL students provided English explanations throughout, introducing paper-cutting, the hulusi (a traditional Chinese instrument), and Chinese dance, and guiding international students in hands-on cultural experiences. Li Meiling and Liang Jinying detailed the intangible cultural heritage of paper-cutting, leading participants in creating their own works; Yang Sunna shared knowledge about the hulusi and performed the classic piece “Colorful Clouds Over the South,” showcasing the charm of traditional Chinese music; Ou Yuyan and two other students explained the cultural significance of classical and Dai ethnic dances, combining performance and interactive teaching to help international students appreciate Chinese aesthetics through dance.
Both sessions, built on language and centered on culture, not only helped international students improve their practical Chinese skills and deepen their understanding of Chinese culture but also enabled TCSOL students to accumulate valuable experience in international Chinese teaching and cross-cultural communication through event planning, cultural presentation, and interactive guidance. The workshop achieved its practical goal of “promoting learning through teaching and applying learning in practice,” fostering deeper integration of diverse cultures on campus. (Author: Liu Yanmian Translator: Peng Gaoliang Photography: Tang Mei, Liu Yanmian, Wei Ying Proofreaders: Tang Mei, Li Feng Reviewer: Lin Na)
