Language As Bridge, Culture As Sail
Notes on “Chinese Bridge for American Schools" Tour

Seeing his American colleagues busy trying on traditional Chinese costumes and appreciating the exhibits of traditional Chinese handicrafts, Ken Hodgkinson, headmaster of Spartans Middle School, was busy taking pictures of every detail. He said: “If we can apply these cultural resources in Chinese teaching, many problems in teaching will be settled easily.”

Charis Jones, a teacher from Annapolis Middle School, in China for the first time, was deeply attracted by the exhibits augmented by high-tech devices. She took the lead in “obtaining a visiting visa” by participating in a question-and-answer session. Though she had only caught a brief glimpse of some of the many beautiful Beijing monuments, she remembered very well “the beautiful Forbidden City” and happily passed the quiz.

“What an exciting experience!” Ms. Jones said, holding the visiting certificate with her name printed on it. She said: “Many of my students are curious about China and after I return to the States, I will share my experience in China with them.”

In “the Grand Forum” on the second floor, Hanban and the U.S. College Board signed the 2009 Cooperative Agreement, which marks the new stage of the cooperation in the field of Chinese language teaching between the two countries.

In the Exploratorium, delegates lingered on with no thoughts of leaving. Time flies fast and the evening lights were lit, delegates had to bid farewell and rode to the Great Hall of the People to attend the welcome banquet. They found wit hgreat joy that there was another wonderful Chinese language and cultural exhibition arranged by Hanban, which included tea tasting, Peking Opera, dough figures, Chinese knots and other displays. Many of them held colorful fans painted by old Chinese folk artists, appreciating the beauty of “plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum”—the four representative plants in Chinese culture.

Colorful theatrical performances were held during the banquet. A chorus performed by students of the high school affiliated to Renmin University of China brought the event to a lovely climax with the mellifluous songs, “Beijing Welcomes You” and “Auld Lang Syne”. The songs moved everyone; some even hummed with the chorus. All present were immersed in the atmosphere of friendship and harmony. Auld Lang Syne expressed the feelings of everyone.

At the banquet, Vice Education Minister Hao Ping delivered a speech. He pointed out that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-U.S. diplomatic relations, and the friendship and cooperation between the two peoples can greatly contribute to the peace of the world. He stressed that the cooperation on language education between the two countries and the strengthening of communication and exchanges between the youth of the two countries are beneficial to both sides and the world at large.