In the morning of June 22nd, the opening ceremony of 2013 NSLI was successfully held in BNUZ International Center. The dean of School of Chinese Prof. Zhang Mingyuan, director of the Office of International Affairs Dr. Gan Chunyan, representative of CIERN Ms. Huang Sihong, teacher Liu Jia, Dr. Chu Zhixin, Tian Rong, Zhang Tianran, and Liu Jinzhe from the School of Chinese, 20 US students and their host families, together with course teachers and team leaders participated in the ceremony. The opening ceremony was hosted by Dr. Qiu Yue, the assistant to the dean of School of Chinese.

This is the third year that BNUZ School of Chinese holds this program, which is also the successful project of teaching reform in its summer short term. Comparing to previous years, the overall diathesis of US students is improved in this year. Additionally, the 20 host families of this year cover several departments, agencies and social sectors, which play a positive role in promoting BNUZ reputation. The summer camp also offers an excellent practical teaching base for students from the major of international education.

In the opening ceremony, dean of School of Chinese Prof. Zhang Mingyuan delivered a speech to welcome all the guests, especially the US students, to join in this camp. Then, Prof. Zhang talked with students in a casual and humorous way, and the atmosphere was lively. In gratitude to all the host families, he also wished that the participated students can enjoy staying in BNUZ and obtain academic success.

Subsequently, teacher Tian Rong from the School of Chinese gave a speech on behalf of all the course teachers. He expressed the honor of receiving this mission of student training, and showed confidence in successfully finishing it at the same time. Apart from this, Mr. Zou Zhenyu, a representative of the host families shared his experience of living with an American teenager last year. At the end, he put forward several kind suggestions to the joined students.

The most surprised part in this opening ceremony was the speech offered by US students. Among the four representatives, two of them were interpreters. Their concise and simple expressions won applause from the audience.

Finally, representative of CIERN Ms. Huang Sihong shared a research carried out by Japanese scholars. With the theme of learning Chinese will develop one’s intelligent, she hoped that all the participated students, not only US students, but also language partners, can explore bravely, and obtain new breakthrough and results based on different cultures.

The program lasts from June 24th to August 1st. 20 US students will systematically learn Chinese for 7 weeks, and doing research on Chinese traditional culture. In a way of experiential learning, they will learn Tai Chi, calligraphy, Chinese painting, paper cutting and Chinese knot preparation. Field trips to Zhongshan, Guangzhou and Beijing are also arranged for this program.