Chinese Corner Summary (Spring 2024)
Kimberly Batson
May 3, 2024
Chinese Corner is a bi-weekly event hosted by the Chinese Language Flagship Center (CLFC) and the Center for Chinese Language Education (CCLE). It is a cultural event that invites Chinese Flagship students to come join and converse in Chinese while learning about an aspect of Chinese culture. Each semester, the Chinese Corner team hosts roughly six events, with each team member hosting their own event.
Red Envelope Making
In our first Chinese Corner on January 22, 2024, students learned about the Chinese Lunar Calendar and designed their red envelopes with traditional Chinese calligraphy. They practiced on white paper before creating their final designs, which featured dragons and other symbolic elements. The envelopes could be taken home as keepsakes or given to family members.
Who is the Spy?
In the second Chinese Corner on February 5, 2024, upper-level students shared their personal Mandarin learning experiences before diving into an exhilarating game of “Who is the Spy?” The players described words in Chinese, with one student secretly having a different card. Using their language and deduction skills, students identified the spy among them.
Lantern Festival
Our third Chinese Corner on February 26, 2024, a presentation on the Lantern Festival’s history and activities was followed by lantern painting. Students learned about stilt dancing, tang yuan, dragon dances, lantern riddles, and more. The students painted their lanterns with colorful and creative designs.
Chinese Karaoke / TOCFL Workshop
In the fourth session on March 11, visiting teacher from Taiwan, Yu-Sheng Chang, explained the TOCFL test, its mechanics, and content. Chang Laoshi’s explanation was followed by a lively Kahoot quiz. Afterward, students enjoyed karaoke and sang their favorite Chinese songs.
Jeopardy with Chinese Trivia
The fifth Chinese Corner on April 1, 2024, hosted by student ambassador Molly Wolyn, offered a cultural immersion through a Jeopardy-style game focusing on Chinese and Taiwanese culture, history, food, vocabulary, and entertainment. Teams competed for gift bags and Starbucks gift cards.
Pinyin Game
April 15 saw our final Chinese Corner, which was led by Chinese graduate student Teresa Fu. The activity saw students engaged in a stimulating card game based on pinyin. As they matched cards to form Chinese characters, they not only honed their language skills but also competed for prizes, adding an element of excitement to their learning experience.
Throughout all six Chinese Corners, students were able to enjoy enriching experiences as they delved deeper into the Chinese language and culture.
