On the afternoon of 11 August, 2014, the laughter of over 50 teachers and students from the Siddal Moor School and the University broke through summer quietness at the Alun Roberts Building in Bangor University. Siddal Moor School came to participate in Bangor University’s Opening Day program.
The Confucius Institute at Bangor University was in charge of the activity. Miss Anna, a staff member at the University’s Department of Corporate Communications & Marketing, acted as liaison between the hosts and the participants. She warned the organizers that it may be difficult for them to manage the students for they are more active than other students, and that the hosts should pay special attention throughout the event to avoid safety problems. In response to Miss Anna’s advice, the University sent 11 more teachers to assist the organizers. Prof. Zhang and Ms. Li had carefully prepared for the activity. In order to draw the audience’s attention, they specially designed Q&As and contests where the contestants could win awards. In this way, the teachers not only confirmed their prestige in the students’ minds, but also ensured their compliance with the instructions. After those games, they divided the students into two groups, one group taking part in dynamic activities (practicing Tai chi, stepping on balloons), and the other group participating in static activities (writing calligraphy, counting numbers in Chinese).
At the beginning of those activities, Dr. David Joyner, executive director of the Confucius Institute, briefed the student visitors on the Institute’s current situation. A Chinese culture-related quiz game and contests presided over by Prof. Zhang followed the briefing. The atmosphere at the venue was warm and lively. Within just half an hour, the students gained knowledge of China, managed to speak some Chinese, and eagerly participated in the quiz show game. Additionally, the students took an even more active role in the ensuing handcrafting contests: a hugely popular lantern-making competition and a chopsticks-using competition were held for several rounds. After students were divided into groups, one group followed Ms. Li to learn how to write Chinese calligraphy, while the other group imitated the movements of Ms. Zhang in practicing Tai-chi Fan.
At the end of the event, teachers from the Siddal Moor school expressed their great surprise at the excellent performance of their students, who are usually hyperactive and have difficulty concentrating on their assignments. Because of the activity’s success, the Department of Corporate Communications & Marketing at Bangor University contacted the Confucius Institute on the next day to express their desire to arrange more similar Open Days for neighboring schools in the future.
Over 50 contestants participated in the quiz show game and in contests in the newly established Chinese culture-experiencing room
Students gained knowledge of China within half an hour
Trying to handle chopsticks adeptly
Lantern-making contest
Ms. Li taught students to count numbers in Chinese
Experiencing Chinese calligraphy
In the game of stepping on balloons, contestants must try to step on others' balloons and protect their own at the same time. The balloon-bursting sound sounds like Chinese firecrackers. The winner was awarded a 3D picture of the Great Wall.
Students learnt and skillfully played Tai-chi Fan
Teachers couldn't help joining in the fun
