From January 15th to 20th, Zhang Yifan from School of Mechanical Engineering and Bian Jiahui from School of Foreign Languages went to National Institute of Technology, Wakayama College NIT (KOSEN) for the Program of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language.
During their seven-day stay, the two students used a variety of teaching methods such as PPTs, blackboard writing, English as well as handouts in their teaching. They provided detailed explanation of the basics of Chinese language, such as initials, finals, and tones in pinyin, and taught their peers some practical daily Chinese expressions. In addition, they also introduced traditional Chinese culture, local customs of Shanghai, and our university.
In the first Chinese language class, the Japanese students plunged into the sea of Chinese learning with great enthusiasm. When faced with similar yet distinct Chinese pronunciation, they quickly mastered some of the Chinese phonetics. Pronunciations such as “ang, eng, ong” posed a certain challenge to them, but with the patient guidance of Zhang Yifan and Bian Jiahui, and through continuous practice, NIT (KOSEN) students finally mastered these pronunciations accurately.
In addition to Chinese language teaching, NIT (KOSEN) also meticulously arranged many meaningful extracurricular activities for Zhang and Bian. They visited the mechanical laboratory and learnt more about the research of semiconductor materials. In addition, Mr. Kusube personally showed them around the city. President Shion Inoue and Mr. Okamoto from the Department of Intelligent Mechanical Engineering warmly welcomed them and reaffirmed the deep friendship between the two institutions.
In their spare time, Zhang and Bian also attended NIT (KOSEN)’sGerman, materials, and Chinese courses, and gained a deeper understanding of the differences and characteristics of NIT (KOSEN) courses.
The Chinese teaching program left a deep impression on Zhang and Bian, and they deeply felt its great significance. Through the internship, they not only enjoyed unique foreign scenery and NIT (KOSEN)’s distinctive teaching methods, but also gained precious cross-border friendship.
The SDJU-NIT (KOSEN) cooperative Chinese teaching program has already lasted 6 years. From 2018 to 2024, both sides have jointly organized four wonderful events, dedicated to promoting cultural exchange between China and Japan and maintaining the friendly relationship between the two institutions. Through this program, students can personally experience and learn about each other’s cultures, further understanding and respecting their differences. It is this deep cultural exchange and understanding that injects new vitality into the development of Sino-Japanese friendship.
