Watching classmates’ performances for Chinese New Year
演讲嘉宾讲座
在2022年秋季学期，中文学部邀请了两位国际知名学者，为对中文和中国文化感兴趣的西华大师生做了两场线上的精彩讲座。北京外国语大学的李雪涛教授是著名的历史学家、翻译家和汉学家，他与我们分享了许多关于如何进行汉学学术研究的重要观点，学生们感到受益匪浅，因为他们中的许多人正在计划毕业之后继续攻读硕士或博士学位。北京大学的赵杨教授是知名的汉语教育家，他的演讲主要围绕如何成为一名专业的对外汉语教师的标准，他还与我们分享了关于在就业市场上获得教师职位的重要建议和技巧。每场讲座都非常成功！
Guest Speakers
In fall quarter, the Chinese program invited two internationally recognized scholars to deliver two excellent speeches on Zoom to Western students and community members interested in Chinese language and culture. Professor Xuetao Li shared with us many pertinent ideas on how to conduct academic research in Sinology. Many students felt his ideas were very helpful for further MA or PHD program education planning. Additionally, Professor Yang Zhao delivered a speech mainly about the standards for how to become a professional instructor who teaches Chinese as a foreign language. He also shared important advice and tips with us about securing teaching positions in the job market. Thanks to student participation, useful tips and ideas from the guests, the talks were very successful!
Professor Liu’s calligraphy workshop
中文桌子活动
在整个学年里，中文项目组织了各种中文桌子的主题活动。那些刚接触到中国语言和传统的人都觉得这些活动非常有趣! 例如，在冬季学期，初学阶段的学生能够体验如何使用毛笔和宣纸来书写汉字，传统的书法方式让大家感受到了中国文化的优雅气息。
Chinese Table
Throughout the academic year, the Chinese program organized various Chinese Table activities. Those who are new to Chinese language and traditions found these events extremely interesting! For instance, in winter quarter, students at the beginning level were able to experience how to write Chinese characters by using ink brush and Xuan paper, and the traditional calligraphy demonstration enchanted everyone with the elegance of this Chinese cultural tradition. In fact, many students mentioned looking forward to a Chinese Calligraphy course next academic year.
中文小型图书馆
自2023年1月以来，中文学部一直在努力建立一个小型图书馆。这些中文书籍将提供给中文主修专业、辅修专业的学生，以及任何其他中文学习者以服务。中文学部各年级的老师也会给学生布置一些阅读作业，包括读书报告或评论，以使这些书能得到更好的利用。
Chinese Mini-Library
Since January of 2023, the Chinese program has been working on the establishment of a mini-library. Chinese language books will be available to Chinese majors, minors and any other language learners. Instructors of all levels in the Chinese program will also assign students some reading homework with book reports or reviews so that these books will be better utilized.
Students learning to play Mahjong at CCC
汉语会话俱乐部（CCC）活动
每个学期，在中文系教师的支持和帮助下，学生定期举办的汉语会话俱乐部活动和研讨会为学生提供了一个复习所学知识的机会，同时它也是一个参与更多文化活动的场所。所有的活动都使学生在许多有意义的方面受益良多，这为他们深入学习提供了机会。
Chinese Conversation Club (CCC) Events
Each quarter, CCC events and workshops are held regularly by students with the support and assistance of Chinese faculty members. This club offers a chance for students to review what they learn and a place to participate in more cultural activities. All events thus far have had enormous positive benefits for students’ studies.
中国饮食文化周
在2022年秋季学期，中文学部的学生门在饮食文化周期间学到了很多只在语言课堂上无法学到的饮食文化知识。在品尝美食之前，老师布置了作业，让学生们提前研究一下中餐的历史、特点、菜系流派。在活动过程中，学生们将所学知识运用到实践中，他们还现场提出了很多相关问题，很多问题甚至与早期中国移民的职业和目前美国餐饮业的布局有关。中餐背后的文化和语言也让学生们对中国的历史有了更深层次的了解，激励他们在课堂内外更深入地学习中文。
Chinese Food Culture Week
In fall quarter, the Chinese students learned a lot about food culture during Food Culture Week that they would not have learned in class. Before a food tasting event, the teachers assigned homework to encourage the students to research more about the history, characteristics, and schools of Chinese cuisine in advance. Then, during the event the students applied what they learned in practice by asking relevant, impromptu questions, many of which were related to the occupation of early Chinese immigrants and the current climate of the American food service industry. The culture and language behind the Chinese food also gave students a deeper understanding of the history of China and encouraged them to further immerse themselves in their Chinese studies in and outside of the classrooms.
Students follow along with Professor Chen’s instruction
艺术家嘉宾工作坊
在冬季学期，中文学部和汉语对话俱乐部组织了一次中国美术工作坊研讨会。我们邀请了山东艺术设计学院的陈淑光教授，他在讲座中向中文主修专业和辅修专业的学生、教师和其他参与者介绍了中国水彩画的历史。然后他在线上教授所有参与者来现场画水彩画。这次活动也获得了非常成功的效果! 所有参与其中的人都对中国艺术变得越来越感兴趣。
Guest Artist Events
In winter quarter, the Chinese program and Chinese Conversation Club organized an art workshop. We invited Professor Shuguang Chen of Shandong University of Arts and Design, who delivered a presentation introducing the history of Chinese watercolor painting to both Chinese majors and minors, as well as faculty members and visitors. He then taught all participants via Zoom call how to do watercolor painting. The workshop participants were very successful in their learning, and many students became even more interested in traditional Chinese arts.
Professor Su tells students the legend of Nian
中国新年庆祝活动
中国新年，也被称为春节，是中国文化中最重要的节日，全世界有数百万人在庆祝。在2023年的冬季，中文学部举行了一年一度的新年庆祝活动，以庆祝传统和所有中文主修和辅修专业同学们的进步，许多对中文感兴趣的学习者也加入到活动中来。这是自疫情以来第一次面对面的线下聚会，全体教师和学生志愿者共同成功地组织了这次活动。我们邀请了外国语学院的系主任Shannon Dubenion-Smith教授致开幕词，中文学部的主任吴思远教授向大家宣布了未来中文系的发展计划。大家对即将出版的中文杂志《镜》、春季郊游、中文会话俱乐部的活动、中文小图书馆的建立，暑期留学项目等都感到十分期待。各年级学生表演了很多精彩的节目，包括中文歌曲、小品、舞蹈、诗朗诵、绕口令、脱口秀等等。 此次活动不仅使中文项目和中国文化在校园内得到了更广泛的传播，而且大大增强了师生对教学工作以及学生们学习的信心。这个活动提供了一个文化交流和理解的机会，并促进了文化多样性。它还促使参与者相互学习，分享他们自己的学习经验和文化传统，并建立起一种跨文化的纽带。
First year students Nevaeh Qiu and Wuyi Walters
Chinese New Year Celebration
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday in Chinese culture and is celebrated by millions of people worldwide. In winter quarter of 2023, the Chinese program held its annual New Year Celebration to celebrate the tradition and the progress of all Chinese majors and minors. Many students who are interested in Chinese also joined the event. This was the first face-to-face gathering since Covid started three years ago. The entire faculty membership worked with student volunteers to successfully organize the event this year. We invited the department chair of MCL, Professor Shannon Dubenion-Smith to deliver the opening remarks, and Chinese faculty head Professor Julian Wu announced program development plans to everyone. Everyone was excited about the upcoming Chinese magazine, spring field trips, activities of Chinese Conversation Club, the establishment of a Chinese mini-library, faculty-led summer study abroad program, etc. Students of all levels performed a variety of great shows, including Chinese songs, skits, dancing, poem recitation, tongue twisters, a talk show, and many others. This event not only provided a good exposure for the Chinese language program and Chinese culture on campus, but also greatly enhanced the confidence of teachers and students in the importance of their achievements. This event provided an opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding, as well as the promotion of cultural diversity. It also allowed participants to learn from each other, share their own study experience and cultural traditions, and build cross-cultural connections.
Claudia Liu 刘海燕
Claudia Liu, Language Instructor of Chinese, holds two M.A. degrees in the fields of linguistics (University of Washington U.S., and Newcastle University, U.K). Her research interests include: teaching Chinese as a foreign language, second language acquisition, and multilingualism. As a talented professional with more than 20 years of teaching experience, her passion for teaching and love of language make her classes a joy to attend.
