"Post-90s" Thai foreign teacher in Chengdu: "Learning Chinese changed my life"

　　China News Service , Chengdu, June 5th,

　　Reporter Yue Yitong

　　"Learning Chinese has changed my life. Because of learning Chinese, I have gained a career and love, and now my life is very happy." Recently, Lin Qing, a foreign teacher of Thai language at Chengdu University with long hair and chest, was sitting in a classroom. With a smile on his face, he told reporters about his Chinese complex in fluent Mandarin.

Lin Qing in the classroom.

Photo by Yang Yudi

　　Lin Qing, 29, is from Sisaket, Thailand. Influenced by her Chinese neighbors, she has been curious and longing for China since she was a child.

In 2011, Lin Qing was admitted to Khon Kaen University in Thailand, majoring in Chinese International Education, and started the road of Chinese language learning.

The following year, thanks to the exchange program between the school and Southwest University, she flew to Chongqing to study and set foot on Chinese soil for the first time.

Lin Qing was interviewed by a reporter from Chinanews.com.

Photo by Yang Yudi

　　During her study abroad, Lin Qing met and fell in love with her husband from Chengdu. After graduating from a master's degree, she officially became a "Chengdu daughter-in-law" and settled in Chengdu with her husband. Last year, the two had the crystallization of love.

"Chinese is our 'matchmaker'." Recalling her love story, Lin Qing said with a smile that she had just arrived in Chongqing in 2012 and was eager to improve her Chinese. Her husband was her "teammate" who practiced Chinese. In the process, the spark of love collided.

Lin Qing at work.

Photo by Yang Yudi

　　This sweet experience made Lin Qing realize that language is the starting point of communication between Thai and Chinese people, and the increasingly close exchanges and cooperation between the two countries are based on the exchange of languages.

Lin Qing, who was born into a family of teachers, gradually developed the dream of becoming a Thai language teacher in China.

"I can speak both Thai and Chinese. Why not take advantage of this advantage to pass on Thai culture in Chengdu, promote Thai language, and make some contributions to the exchange between Thailand and China?"

　　At the beginning of 2020, through hard work, Lin Qing became a Thai foreign teacher at Chengdu University.

Standing on the podium, she is enthusiastic and popular with students.

Making Thai green papaya salad and dancing traditional Thai dances were also brought into the classroom by Lin Qing, allowing students to deepen their understanding of Thai culture while learning Thai.

　　"Optical vocabulary and grammar are not enough. To learn a language well, you must learn the cultural connotation behind it." Lin Qing told reporters that she had to prepare at least 4 hours for a 90-minute course.

"As a teacher, you must be responsible to your students."

Lin Qing is reading on campus.

Photo by Yang Yudi

　　As a member of the Sichuan Thai Research Center, Lin Qingchang helped the center translate some Thai documents and materials, and promoted the development of related work; in her spare time, she also translated Chinese cultural knowledge and study abroad policies for many schools in Thailand.

In Lin Qing's house, there are thick stacks of materials, all of which she has translated in recent years.

　　Lin Qing told reporters that as a Thai living in China, she sincerely hopes that the relationship between the two countries will get better and better.

"In recent years, the exchanges and cooperation between Thailand and China in various fields have become increasingly close, and 'Thailand and China are one family'. I feel honored to be able to contribute to the exchanges between the two countries."

　　It has been more than ten years since she first learned Chinese, and Lin Qing found that in Thailand, the trend of "Chinese fever" is becoming more and more obvious.

"Almost all public places have Chinese signs. With the attention of the government, Chinese courses have been set up in primary schools to universities, and even kindergartens are teaching basic Chinese vocabulary. 16 Confucius Institutes and 11 Confucius Classrooms in Thailand also learn Chinese for Thai people. Helped a lot."

Lin Qing in life.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee

　　At the same time, Thailand has introduced a large number of Chinese music, film and television works, and many Chinese stars are very popular in Thailand.

"The TV series "Journey to the West" and "Bao Qingtian" are replayed almost every year. Through these cultural carriers, more and more young Thai people have seen the development of China and liked Chinese culture. They not only want to learn Chinese, but also want to study in China. , life." Lin Qing said.

　　In Lin Qing's view, language is the most basic bridge to understand a country's culture, history and economic development.

Behind the "Chinese craze" in Thailand is actually the Thai people's trust in the relationship between the two countries and their recognition of China's development opportunities.

"The closer the cooperation between Thailand and China is, the more employment and entrepreneurial opportunities will be released, and industries such as translation, foreign trade, education, and e-commerce are attracting more and more young people to join." As one of them, Lin Qing said that he speaks Chinese. The beneficiaries of the study hope that there will be more young people in the two countries, who are willing to start understanding each other from the language.

(Finish)