The opening ceremony of the Summer Program for recipients of the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship from the Norwegian Confucius Classroom was held at Phoenix School, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai (BNU Zhuhai), on June 30. Fourteen students from Norway gathered in BNU Zhuhai to begin a four-week program combining Chinese language study with immersive cultural experiences.

Group photo at the opening ceremony

Qiu Yue, Deputy Director of the International Office, welcomed the participants and highlighted BNU’s long-standing commitment to international Chinese language education. She described language as a bridge that connects people and cultures, encouraging the students to make the most of their time in China through classroom learning, cultural activities, and city visits. She expressed her hope that they would return to Norway as ambassadors of friendship, helping strengthen mutual understanding between the two countries.

Qiu Yue delivers a speech

He Jiangkun, Vice Dean of Phoenix School, said the School is committed to expanding the university’s international engagement and cultivating globally minded young people. He noted that the summer program reflects the school’s efforts to integrate high-quality Chinese language teaching resources with international educational cooperation. He encouraged the students to actively participate, communicate confidently, and make the most of the four-week learning experience.

He Jiangkun addresses the audience

Following the opening ceremony, students attended their first Chinese language classes, which included reading and writing, as well as oral communication. In the reading and writing course, instructors introduced Chinese characters and short texts through practical examples from everyday life. Students practiced Chinese calligraphy stroke by stroke, gaining a deeper appreciation of the Chinese writing system while improving their literacy skills. The oral communication course featured situational activities based on daily life in Zhuhai, cultural visits, and Chinese language teaching contexts. Through role-playing, group discussions, and interactive classroom activities, students practiced speaking in pairs and enhanced their listening and speaking skills in an engaging learning environment.

Interactive session in the Chinese reading and writing class

Jointly developed by the School of International Chinese Language Education at BNU and Phoenix School, the program combines intensive language instruction with a wide range of cultural activities. In addition to daily courses in reading, writing, and spoken Chinese, participants will take part in Chinese calligraphy, traditional cultural workshops, and study visits to cities across the Lingnan region. These activities are designed to provide students with an immersive learning experience, offering first-hand exposure to contemporary China while deepening mutual understanding between young people from China and Norway.

The Norwegian Confucius Classroom was jointly established by Beijing Normal University and Norway's Akademiet Educational Group and officially opened in the autumn of 2023. Since then, it has promoted Chinese language education and introduced traditional Chinese culture within local communities, serving as an important platform for educational and cultural exchange between China and Norway.

The summer program represents another milestone in the partnership between the two institutions, providing Norwegian students with a valuable opportunity to study in China. Looking ahead, both sides will continue to expand cooperation in Chinese language education, academic exchange, and youth engagement, further strengthening educational ties and people-to-people exchanges between China and Norway.