Source: School of Chinese as a Second Language
Written by: Sun Di’ao
Translated by: Kang Jie
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On September 3, an experience sharing meeting for candidates of Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL) as volunteers teaching Chinese overseas was held at the School of Chinese as a Second Language (SCSL), Sun Yat-sen University. The candidates of MTCSOL, who have been to the Philippines, the United States, South Africa, Mexico and Cambodia to teach Chinese as volunteers, shared their experiences. This meeting attracted nearly a hundred students of MTCSOL, as well as several distinguished guests including Wang Huaqiao, Deputy Director of Academic Training Office of Graduate School; Wu Dan, Deputy Secretary of SYSU Youth Association; Cao Xin, Deputy Secretary of School of Foreign Languages; Feng Yang, representative of Office of International Exchange and Cooperation (OIEC); Zhou Xiaobing, Dean of SCSL; and Zhang Shitao, Deputy Dean of SCSL.
First, Deputy Dean Zhang Shitao introduced that more and more volunteers from SCSL have been sent to teach Chinese in foreign countries. Meanwhile, he hoped that MTCSOL candidates would keep learning and practicing to make contributions to the spread of Chinese culture.

Then, the volunteers gave presentations respectively. Peng Yuanzhen, a volunteer in the Philippines told the audience how she won her students’ love and respect with five steamed dumplings. Hou Du and Sun Jia, volunteers in the United States, showed how they tried to bridge the cultural gap and realized their Chinese dream in America. Ma Yujun and Xiang Lingling shared their stories of spreading Chinese language and culture in South Africa. In Mexico, Chen Fen has become more mature. She said, “The time I spend growing up is not wasted.” Li Xiuying depicted her teaching experience in Cambodia, which won praise from the students: “Chinese is the most beautiful language in the world!”

Finally, Deputy Director of Academic Training Office of Graduate School Wang Huaqiao and Feng Yang from OIEC offered their comments. Wang Huaqiao spoke highly of the volunteers, who have played a significant role in the spread of Chinese language and culture. He also encouraged the volunteers to keep practicing and exploring in their academic studies and make a bigger contribution. In addition, Feng Yang shared her feelings with the volunteers. She said that OIEC would continue to support the development of SCSL.

It is learned that 126 graduate students in SCSL have been selected as volunteers to teach Chinese overseas since 2008. They were sent off to 16 countries. Among them, 4 volunteers were awarded the title of “excellent volunteer Chinese teacher”. It is an important part of the MTCSOL program for SCSL to hold the meeting to share ideas as well as learn lessons.