Norwegian pupils take Chinese class in summer school
Source: Xinhua |
August 5, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
For eight years, the Oslo municipal government has run a summer school program and this year more than 150 primary and secondary students in the Norwegian capital city have chosen the “Try Chinese” course.
The summer school program, which is funded by the Oslo municipal government, has attracted 13,500 students of all ages.
Starting immediately after vacation begins in June, the summer school offers subjects ranging from foreign languages and sciences to music, theater arts, dance and swimming.
Each course lasts a week, and students are free to choose.
Chinese language and culture has been offered for the last three years. It started after a director of education in the municipal government came back from a visit to China.
The number of students choosing the Chinese language and culture course has been stable over the past three years, according to Maria Kvellestad Isaksen.
Students have various reasons for taking the course.
Alexander Lu from Hovseter School said it would be very useful if someone wanted to study in China.
The course is conducted in cooperation with the Nydalen Secondary School, a partner for the Oslo summer school program.
Something new every day
Over five full days, students can expect something new and interesting about China when they walk into the classroom each day.
On the first day, students are each given a Chinese name and encouraged to introduce themselves. On following days, Chinese songs, paper cutting, Chinese tea and Chinese food are introduced. Language is taught at the same time.
Video clips of Chinese talent shows are played before students start to learn to sing the Chinese pop song “Welcome to Beijing.”
Paper cutting is much easier than singing a pop song in Chinese. Student are all smiles when they see the piece of traditional Chinese folk.
In the tea class, students watch video programs on picking, heating and drying tea leaves, learn about different teas produced with different methods, and watch the teacher making tea. They also taste teas.
Making wonton dumplings may be the most exciting part of the course. Students learn very fast how to make the dough, form the shell, fill it, close it and boil or fry it. Each student takes six dumplings home and is asked to cook wonton for their families, using printed instructions.
Cai Ye, a postgraduate student from China, is one of the three teachers for the “Try Chinese” course. The young woman from Hunan Province studies at the University of Oslo. She is responsible for designing an preparing the course.
Cai said, “The classes are mainly meant for students to have a little bit of a taste of Chinese language and culture. They offer them a good chance to know something about Chinese and feel for themselves that learning Chinese could also be an enjoyable thing to do.”
Showing the homework done by her students — a well-shaped Chinese character — Cai is more than satisfied with the performance of her students.
The students are also pleased with their accomplishments over just one week.
Andre Lidre from Oslo Handelsgymnasium, said, “I think it was pretty great actually. We’ve learned much more than I thought we would learn.”
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