In April, the School of International Chinese Language Education at Beijing Normal University meticulously planned and organized a series of events centered around the theme “Chinese: Illuminating Multicolored Dreams” to mark the seventh “International Chinese Language Day”. The initiatives—encompassing on-campus cultural experiences, showcases of overseas achievements, Sino-foreign youth dialogues, and outstanding student interviews—comprehensively demonstrated the School’s solid accomplishments and unique strengths in talent cultivation for international Chinese education, cross-cultural exchange, and the dissemination of Chinese culture. Serving as a bridge of languages, these activities conveyed the voice of China-foreign friendship.

Campus Celebration: Sharing Stories from the Heart, Craftsmanship in Experience Workshops

On the afternoon of April 28, the “Chinese: Illuminating Multicolored Dreams” event was held in Room B308 of the Main Building. The event was divided into two parts: the “Colorful Chinese · Storytelling Session” and the “Elegant China · Experience Workshop Session”, attracting enthusiastic participation from international students. During the storytelling session, nine international students from countries including Vietnam, Russia, Myanmar, and Thailand shared their touching stories in fluent Chinese about their bond with the language and their lives in China. The workshop session transformed the classroom into a traditional culture bazaar. Ten international students acted as “hosts” setting up experience stations for tea art, calligraphy, rubbing, movable type printing, shadow puppet coloring, traditional Chinese medicine sachets, celadon coasters, and floating lacquer fans. The international students were not only learners of Chinese culture but also became promoters of traditional Chinese craftsmanship.

“Colorful Chinese” Storytelling Session

Overseas Success: Alumni Lead Students to “Chinese Bridge” Awards

On April 18th, the 2nd Southern Utah “Chinese Bridge · International Chinese Language Day” event was held in St. George, Utah, USA. Yang Yi (Class of 2016) and Lin Siying (Class of 2023), both graduates of the School of International Chinese Language Education, work within the Chinese immersion teaching teams of the Southern Utah Public School District, teaching Chinese at the elementary and high school levels respectively. Through meticulous preparation and dedicated guidance, the two alumnae led their students to stand out in the regional rounds and advance to the finals.During the finals, the students delivered speeches on the themes “Joyful Chinese” and “Pursue your Dreams in Youth, Live Up to your prime time” drawing on their own Chinese learning experiences. Ultimately, Yang Yi's students Shen Yizhou won first prize in the elementary group (advancing to the national “Chinese Bridge” finals) and Wang Yichen won second prize in the elementary group. Lin Siying's student Tang Yisen won second prize in the middle school group.

The success of these graduates in cultivating excellence overseas not only highlights the effectiveness of the School’s talent training but also exemplifies the role of Chinese as a vital bridge for communication and mutual understanding between China and the world.

Teacher Yang Yi (1st L), student Shen Yizhou (2nd L), student Wang Yichen (3rd L), and the Principal of Utah’s Finder Elementary School (1st R) preparing backstage before the final.

Teacher Lin Siying (1st L), Tang Yisen – Secondary Group Second Prize Winner (C), and Lou Kerui – Secondary Group Third Prize Winner (1st R).

Youth Dialogue: Sino-Foreign Students Discuss Education and the Era on CGTN

On April 18, Sino-foreign students from the School were invited to participate in the recording of CGTN’s program The Power of Youth, engaging in deep dialogue on the themes of “International Chinese Education and Professional Futures” and “Youth and the Era”. International students from Russia, Costa Rica, Spain, Italy, and China shared their Chinese learning experiences and career aspirations in international Chinese education, jointly discussing contemporary issues such as the role of teachers in the new era, global competence of youth, and mutual learning among civilizations. This dialogue provided a vivid expression of language learning and international Chinese education, naturally echoing the spirit of linguistic connectivity and civilizational exchange advocated by International Chinese Language Day.

（CGTN website link: https://www.cgtn.com/specials/2024/power-of-youth.html）

Cultivating Through Culture: Outstanding International Student Stories Highlight Educational Outcomes

Coinciding with International Chinese Language Day, the School highlighted profiles of outstanding international students. The stories from He Shiyi, Tang Xiaoxia, Zhu Liya, and Kai Xing serve as vivid microcosms of BNU’s talent cultivation achievements.

He Shiyi from Costa Rica embarked on her academic journey driven by a passion for Chinese, aspiring to develop Chinese teaching systems for Spanish speakers; Thai PhD candidate Tang Xiaoxia, immersed in a family atmosphere of calligraphy, uses Thai social media accounts to disseminate cultural content, writing the “fortitude” of Chinese culture with a “gentle brush”; Italian student Zhu Liya connected with Chinese through her Chinese mother a decade ago and now perceives the essence of classical texts and calligraphy in BNU classrooms, dedicated to building a cultural bridge between China and Italy; Russian student Kai Xing evolved from curiosity about square characters to a deep appreciation for Chinese rhythm, overcoming listening comprehension challenges to win the “Silk road Muduo” Scholarship, using Chinese to connect hearts and minds.

He Shiyi from Costa Rica

Tang Xiaoxia from Thailand posing with the Horse Year Spring Festival couplets she penned

Zhu Liya from Italy at “World Poetry Day” event

Kai Xing from Russia at Spring Festival celebration

These stories, spanning mountains and seas, are inseparable from the broad platform provided by BNU. Leveraging its A+ ranked disciplines in Chinese Language and Literature and Education, the School of International Chinese Language Education has established a comprehensive talent cultivation system spanning undergraduate to doctoral studies, featuring Sino-foreign collaboration. With dual-degree programs with overseas universities and renowned international brands like “Pib Program” and “Dartmouth-BNU Program” alongside long-term partnerships with over ten universities worldwide, the School stands as a vital hub for Sino-foreign linguistic and cultural exchange. In the future, the School will continue to cultivate more outstanding talents with solid expertise in Chinese and strong cross-cultural competencies, striving to share the beauty of the Chinese language and tell China’s stories on broader stages.