Source: http://difang.gmw.cn/gd/2018-10/16/content_31748953.htm

GMW.CN News (Reporter: Lei Aixia/Correspondent: Zhang Qing) From October 9 to 16, 33 Thai primary and secondary school students from the Chinese language learning and Chinese culture experience camp held in Lingnan Normal University (LNU) went to visit the Jinsha Bay, the Municipal Museum, the China-Australia Friendship Garden and other places to appreciate the cultural scenery of Zhanjiang.

33 students from nine primary and secondary schools in Thailand arrived in Zhanjiang, Guangdong on October 9. They will carry out a 13-day experiential study at LNU and learn 12 courses featuring traditional Chinese culture, including Chinese martial arts, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese folk music, Chinese cooking, folk art, etc.

"First fold into a big triangle, then into a small triangle." A teacher dressed in Chinese costume is showing Thai students how to cut paper during a paper-cutting class. Under the patient guidance of the teacher, Thai students made their first paper-cut works and held up their own works for a group photo in class with great interest.

In the martial arts experience class, Thai students actively try to play the Chinese dragon dance. Three strongest Thai students played the heaviest dragon head and the other students played the dragon body. Accompanied by the exciting sound of drums and gongs and under the guidance of the teacher, the students completed the cruising, rising and falling, rolling and other simple dragon dance movements. Although tired and sweaty, their faces were beaming with joy.

In the Chinese learning class, a fifth-grade Thai primary school student won bursts of applause for singing the classic song "Sweet Honey" in his newly learned Chinese.

According to Lan Yanze, Vice Principal of LNU, currently, the school has signed cooperation agreements with 31 schools and education institutions in Thailand. In recent years, the school has sent 12 batches of about 500 interns to Thailand's primary and secondary schools for paid internship. The 33 members of this experience camp have already received good Chinese education in Thai schools and have a certain level of Chinese communication. The Thai teachers and students will surely gain a lot from this learning and cultural experience and further appreciate the unique charm of Chinese traditional culture. According to JAKKREE PHANSOMBAT, Principal of Liming Middle School in Thailand, Thai schools are paying more and more attention to Chinese education, and this experience camp is a rare opportunity. It is hoped that the students can apprehend the rich and colorful Chinese culture in the experience camp and deepen the communication with Chinese students.

Office of International Exchange & Cooperation

October 16, 2018