VOLUNTARY Cultural Tour, TEACHING You & Me Together

Source: School of International Studies
Written by: International Student Association, School of International Studies
Translated by: Huang Rong, Wang Feiyang
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On the afternoon of December 12, 2014, the voluntary teaching program “VOLUNTARY Cultural Tour, TEACHING You & Me Together” was held in Zhuhai Experimental Middle School. It was co-organized by the International Student Association (ISA) of School of International Studies, Sun Yat-sen University and Zhuhai Experimental Middle School. The attendees included ISA tutor Ye Weiyin, foreign teacher of School of Foreign Languages Sven Albrecht, international students Santana Bugzel, Collin Schaefer, Pawel Jan Gawronski, Jonas Matthias Sassin, Daria Chepruchenko, Irina Goruleva and Leyla Al-Khamza, as well as other members and volunteers of the ISA.
 

Group photo of volunteers from the ISA, School of International Studies
 

At about 2:30 pm, the international students and volunteers arrived at Zhuhai Experimental Middle School. They had a tour around the beautiful campus and received warm welcome from the teachers and students. As the bell rang, the amazing teaching tour officially began. In class, international students enthusiastically introduced their own cultures, led group discussions, played games and put on performances. For example, Pawel raised a lot of questions in class for students to have group discussions, after which the students stated their opinions freely in English. It aimed to ensure that each student had a chance to open mouth and speak English.
 

Pawel led a group discussion.
 

Meanwhile, the high school students actively participated in the interactive activity. They spoke English confidently and their witty answers were impressive. Outside, bitter wind blew harshly; inside, enthusiasm lit up the atmosphere. Each and every one of them was bathed in this relaxing and pleasant climate.
 

Leyla raised questions in the class.
 

The second part of the class was about high school students presenting Chinese culture such as Chinese calligraphy, cuisine and wedding customs. Some classes even demonstrated the art of paper-cutting on site and invited professionals to teach international students Tai chi. After the class, these "fans" of our international students gave presents to their “idols”, sought autographs and took pictures with them. Everyone was reluctant to see them leaving.

After the activity, Director Sun of Zhuhai Experimental Middle School said to the volunteers: “We’re grateful for this opportunity. It enables our students to communicate with international students from different countries. Besides, it is particularly worth mentioning here that ISA has done a good job in all aspects, like contingency plans, activity schemes, and etc.” Pawel said in the interview: “I was worried that students might have difficulty in understanding my English before the class, but it seems that my worries are unnecessary. They can speak English quite well. If I have to describe this experience in one word, it will be enjoyment.”