The 12th Beitang Project English Summer Camp reached a complete success
Source: Zhongshan School of Medicine
Written by: Li Min
Proofread by: Yang Dan
Edited by: Wang Dongmei
Hosted by Faculty of Medical Sciences and organized by School of Nursing, the 12th Beitang Project English Summer Camp was held in Hongjun Primary School, Beitang village, Dabu county, Guangdong province from July 28 to August 10. Led by Mr. Zhang Yuanquan, Secretary of School of Nursing, and Mr. Liu Liyun from Zhongshan School of Medicine, 13 medical students from Sun Yat-sen University, 8 medical students from University of Bristol, University of Leeds and University of Birmingham, and over 300 local high school and primary school students took part in the summer camp.
Group photo
This year’s Beitang Project was once again warmly welcomed by local students as well as their parents. The aim of the project is "loving dedication, striving for perfection”. The voluntary teachers improved the English speaking and listening skills of local students and aroused their interest in learning English by having conversations, playing sports and games as well as giving performances. On the last day in Beitang, each class staged a special English show, including singing, dancing, drama, and etc.
Apart from teaching activities, the volunteers visited Guangdong Museum, Chen Clan Academy and Liwan Lake Park in Guangzhou. When staying in Dabu, they toured ancient towns and some scenic attractions. The most appealing thing for the medical students from the UK was the performances given by the local troupe. They enjoyed Hanju Opera, folk songs of Hakka and other traditional performances. In addition, the voluntary teachers sang "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" for the local audience.
During the two weeks, the voluntary students lived in a big Hakka Wai long estate. They cooked meals by themselves, singing, dancing, swimming and playing games. They also observed the Perseid meteor shower. They worked together and helped each other, and the seed of friendship germinated in intercultural communication.
Luncheon hosted by Foreign Affairs Office of Guangzhou Municipal Government
On August 11, the Foreign Affairs Office of Guangzhou Municipal Government hosted a farewell luncheon for the UK volunteers in the 12th Beitang Project. Professor Li Mengfeng, Vice President of SYSU; Mr. Zhang Yuanquan, Secretary of School of Nursing, Ms. Gu Wenli, Deputy Director of Office of International Cooperation & Exchange; Mr. Wang Fuchun, Deputy Director General of Foreign Affairs Office of Guangzhou Municipal Government; and Ms. Jamie Jin, Education Marketing Officer, British Consulate-General in Guangzhou, attended the luncheon. Vice President Li Mengfeng expressed thanks to the British volunteers and said that Sun Yat-sen University had established long-term friendly relations with University of Bristol, University of Leeds and University of Birmingham, and cooperated in many projects including the Beitang Project. He hoped that this project would further promote the relations between SYSU and the three British universities.
Background information
The Beitang Project was initiated in 1998 by Lisa Teoh (Chinese name: Zhang Yanling), a graduate from the Medical School of University of Bristol. She started to organize a summer camp to teach local students English at Fudetang, the big Hakka Wai long estate of the Zhang family in Beitang village, Xihe town, Dabu county, Guangdong province. Every year, the Faculty of Medical Sciences (the former Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences) sent 10 Chinese volunteers to work with 10 medical students from University of Bristol and other British universities to teach English to primary school and high school students in Xihe town, Dabu county for 15 days. By now, the Beitang Project has been successfully held 12 times.
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