Lecturers gain in-depth knowledge on Chinese culture

SEVEN mandarin language lecturers from five Universiti Kuala Lumpur campuses recently participated in a Chinese traditional culture programme at the East China Normal University in Shanghai.

The two-week programme was held from July 14-28 and involved 19 other participants from Vietnam, Russia, Uzbekistan and Canada. It was co-organised by East China Normal University and Chinese Language Council International (HanBan). Both institutions are affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education and committed to providing Chinese language and cultural teaching resources and services worldwide.

The UniKL delegation was led by Dr Liew Hui Nee, a senior lecturer from UniKL Business School (UBIS). The others are Lai Siew Yoon (MIIT), Tay Yang Lian (RCMP), Wong Siaw Wuei (RCMP), Chan Yang Shean (MICET), Chin Jing Ru (MIMET) and Yeong Mei Yit (MIAT).
The objective of the programme, said Dr Liew, is to enhance participants’ knowledge in Chinese traditional culture, strengthen their knowledge in the philosophy of Confucianism and to improve participants’ teaching skills in mandarin as a foreign language.

HanBan, she added, host a number of Chinese language training programmes throughout the years. This organisation covers the costs of the training programmes – fees, materials, accommodation and meals.

“HanBan’s Chinese culture classes are opened to foreign teachers from all over the world who love Chinese language to understand China in a better way. The Chinese culture programme offered a series of activities regarding with the history of China and Chinese cultures. Some historical and cultural visits were held during the programme and this will help the foreign teachers explore themselves in fascinating ancient Chinese culture,” he added.
Some cultural elements, said Dr Liew, had intertwined with language itself. Integrating cultural elements into foreign language teaching will effectively improve students’ language acquisition.

“The Chinese traditional culture training programme will enhance lecturers’ knowledge of Chinese traditional cultures. This will help to improve the teaching and learning process of Mandarin course. At the same time, it will increase students’ interest in learning Mandarin,” he observed.

Madam Lai, a lecturer in UniKL MIIT, echoed that the training comprised of various types of lessons. This included introduction to Chinese culture and festivals, Chinese philosophy, hands-on Chinese culture classes and visits to th Shanghai Museum, Confucius Temple, Chinese Confucianism Museum, Quzhou International Economic and Trade Centre and Quzhou City Exhibition Hall.

“Participants have learned and experienced different Chinese cultures in this training. Most of the teachers in China were knowledgeable and professional in their teaching field. Besides theory and philosophy of Confucius, there were also lessons related to Chinese culture and skill such as Chinese paper cutting, Chinese painting, Chinese Opera Mask Painting, Shadow Puppet Playing, Chinese character curving and so on,” she added.
The experiences gained in the hands-on Chinese traditional culture classes are helpful for the lecturers in sharing the knowledge with UniKL students.
Participants will integrate the Chinese culture elements in Mandarin lessons in future to create happy and attractive learning environment. This will enhance students’ interest in learning Mandarin.

“UniKL Mandarin lecturers would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to UniKL and HanBan (China) for giving us this opportunity to attend training in Shanghai.”