China News Service, Beijing, March 4th, title: International Chinese Education Volunteers: A Shining "China Business Card"
Author Zhong Xin
March 5th is China Youth Volunteer Service Day.
Overseas, such a group of lovely volunteers are active. They use Chinese as a medium to bring Chinese culture to the world; they build bridges with sincerity to connect the hearts and friendships of people from all over the world; they use hard work and sweat to promote the international Chinese language The boom in education has also become a better version of yourself in the process.
They are the volunteers of international Chinese education.
Bring Chinese and Chinese culture to the world
"I still remember the first class I was very nervous in Spain. This was the first time I took a whole class. Even though I prepared carefully, I was still uneasy." Zhao Zijie, a volunteer who teaches in Spain, recalled Said when the scene just arrived.
Fortunately, his first lesson went well.
In order to harmonize the atmosphere of the classroom, he, who was reluctant to talk, tried to break the strangeness and estrangement between teachers and students with passion and vitality.
At the end of the get out of class, each child is very fond of the Chinese name he has obtained.
It was also their first contact with Chinese.
Sun Yanjie, who teaches in Antigua and Barbuda, Central America, teaches students.
Photo courtesy of Sino-Foreign Language Exchange and Cooperation Center
In each of the following classes, Zhao Zijie changed his tricks to attract the children's interest.
Slowly, the children's address to him changed from "Billy" to "Mr. Zhao", and the greeting changed from "Hola" to "Hello", which made Zhao Zijie quite gratified.
In the UK, volunteer Xu Qin teaches adult student classes.
In her interactions with the students, she always felt that she was a window for them to know China.
"Not long ago, during the Spring Festival, we held a series of cultural activities for the public: colorful workshops, light shows with a sense of technology and culture, and tea art experience accompanied by guzheng playing... In my opinion, every activity Even if only some people can participate in it and learn more about China and Chinese culture, I think it is very meaningful." Xu Qin said.
Whenever I see people who come to participate in the activity carefully copying Chinese characters with a brush and have fun, and see the children participating in the workshop excitedly discussing the panda they have drawn, when the guzheng performance ends and there is warm applause, Xu Xu Qin's heart was filled with emotion and joy.
"I think we should do more. Open more windows and let more people 'see'. I believe that 'seeing' itself is enough to let many people know 'this is how it is' and 'it is so interesting' 'It turns out that the Chinese do it'."
Build a bridge of soul and friendship
Song Guanhuai, a volunteer who teaches in Romania, has been teaching online for more than 3 months now.
Although the time together was short, he and the students built a strong bridge of friendship with the most sincere heart.
Song Guanhuai said that he told the students in the first class that if they had any questions, they could ask them directly or contact him after class. He would reply promptly and earnestly to every question asked by the students.
It was this diligence and patience that brought their relationship closer.
Because of the online teaching, he and the students can't see each other often, but the students who live nearby invite him to have coffee and chat together.
During the Spring Festival, a student sent blessings in Chinese. Song Guanhuai, who was in a foreign land, couldn't help but redden his eyes when he saw the news.
"The students also gave me New Year's gifts. In order to thank them, I made dumplings, a traditional Chinese food, and told them the origin of dumplings and the customs of eating dumplings. They thought dumplings were delicious, and they liked listening to these stories very much."
Speaking of his students, Thai volunteer Chen Ying is even more eloquent: "Thai students are lively and active, which once gave me a headache as a novice teacher. But after class, we have a deep friendship, and the children have never been stingy in expressing themselves. love for you."
Whenever Chen Ying's attire changes slightly, praise such as "Teacher, suái (good-looking)" and "Teacher, beautiful" are often heard.
In the students' homework, these "little painters of soul" will add a crooked "Teacher, I love you" in Chinese next to the tender paintings.
When they meet outside the classroom, students will politely say hello, and those who are more lively will rush directly to their arms.
"It makes me feel surrounded by love every day, and my heart is warm."
become a better version of yourself
"Working and living overseas has not only honed my classroom teaching skills, but also allowed me to experience a different way of life and become a more tolerant and empathetic person," said Li Ruiyi, who teaches in Indonesia.
Since high school, she has dreamed of becoming an international Chinese education volunteer.
In her view, this profession is not only a language teacher, but also a cultural messenger.
"Behind language is culture. Learning different languages allows us to think in different cultural backgrounds. As an international Chinese education volunteer, I hope to give learners a different perspective on China and the world. In the process, I also gained a broader perspective.”
Sun Yanjie, who teaches in Antigua and Barbuda in Central America, believes that the volunteer experience can not only provide opportunities to improve her teaching ability, but also provide rich experiences and opportunities to explore the world, allowing her to understand the terroir of different countries. Humanity and living habits.
The transition from student to teacher also allowed her to grow rapidly.
"In the process of asking my colleagues for advice, I have seen the strengths and advantages of others. By solving problems by myself, I have become more confident, happy and outgoing. This is my greatest achievement as a volunteer." She said that volunteering experience will It is the precious wealth of her life. This kind of gain is far more important than material things. It can shape self-esteem and friendship. It is an excellent learning experience.
Youth is in the company, dreams are companions, move forward and grow together.
Since the launch of the International Chinese Education Volunteer Program in 2004, more than 60,000 volunteers have gone to teach in 151 countries and regions. Friendship and exchanges have made outstanding contributions.
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