At the invitation of Yinjia Town Central Primary School in Bazhong City, Sichuan Province, and coordinated by Beijing Congshang International Cultural Exchange Center, Party Secretary Ma Tieshi of BLCU's School of Sinology and Chinese Studies, along with two international students from the school, conducted a social practice activity in the Bazhong area of Sichuan Province from March 16 to 19.
Chen Guangwu, Principal of Yinjia Town Central Primary School, and representatives of faculty and students extended a warm welcome to the delegation from the School of Sinology and Chinese Studies. The delegation observed teaching sessions in the ninth-grade Chinese and English classes, engaging in exchanges with the instructors. They compared the content and formats of Chinese language classes with general Chinese courses, sharing their respective views.
The model Chinese class focused on explaining poems by the patriotic literati Xin Qiji, guiding students to learn key terms while introducing the historical background of the poems and praising the author's patriotic sentiments. The international students showed great interest in the Chinese class content, learning about Chinese historical knowledge. In the final English model class, the international students praised the level of the local English teachers. The two international students also conducted classroom teaching practice, focusing on teaching English vocabulary and providing lively example sentences. The class was full of enthusiasm, with students uninhibited, boldly asking questions and participating in activities, creating a very lively atmosphere.
In the afternoon symposium, Party Secretary Ma Tieshi of the School of Sinology and Chinese Studies introduced the distinctive features of BLCU's education to the students, emphasizing the school's goal of serving national strategies and cultivating high-level international talent who understand and befriend China. He welcomed middle school students from the Bazhong area to apply to BLCU in the future and encouraged them to engage in more friendly exchanges with foreign friends, showcasing the vibrant, open, and progressive spirit of Chinese youth. He suggested they share stories of their hometowns and personal progress with foreign friends as examples, making friends with kind-hearted foreigners. Party Secretary Ma also introduced foreign affairs knowledge, Chinese-foreign language learning, and cross-cultural exchange insights to broaden the students' international exchange knowledge. Subsequently, the international students introduced their home countries' history, culture, cuisine, and famous landmarks in English and Chinese, exciting and delighting the on-site students.
After the exchange activity, under the school's arrangement, the international students experienced dragon dance performances, joined school faculty and students in experiencing rural life, picnicking together, and visiting local farmers. At that time, the rapeseed flowers were blooming in Xiasu Village, Yinjia Town, and the students began their picnic with rising smoke and a scene of joy. In conversations, the international students genuinely felt that under the national "rural revitalization" policy, local farmers' lives have significantly improved. Some farmers, with the help of various favorable policies, have educated their children to become university graduates, gradually transforming their hometowns.
In discussions with the Party branch secretary of Xiasu Village in Yinjia Town, Party Secretary Ma Tieshi learned about the local Party branch's Party building work and practical achievements in improving residents' lives, providing further analysis and explanation to the international students to enhance their in-depth understanding of contemporary China. In addition to the exchange activities, the international students visited En'yang Ancient Town with its red heritage and the memorial hall of renowned patriotic educator and rural constructor Yan Yangchu. Upon departure, the school's teachers and students were reluctant to part, eagerly taking group photos as mementos.
This social practice activity achieved the teaching goal of "Understanding China" in the School of Sinology and Chinese Studies, promoting integration between Chinese and foreign civilizations and establishing international friendships. The head of Beijing Congshang International Cultural Exchange Center stated that they will continue to support such China-foreign cultural exchange activities and provide support for the School of Sinology and Chinese Studies' international recruitment and cooperation through their own channels.
(Edited by: Junyi Wang)
