Confucius Institute at Victoria University in Wellington Holds Training Session of Adaptability for New MLAs

From February 5th to 9th local time, 55 MLAs received a one-week training session of adaptability in the Confucius Institute at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.

Chen Yue, Education Counselor from the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand delivered a speech to welcome the new MLAs. After reviewing the history of economy and trade between New Zealand and China and the basic situation of Chinese language teaching in New Zealand, Chen expressed his hope from 3 aspects to these MLAs: the first is to keep on improving their Chinese language teaching level and adapt themselves to the requirements of Chinese language teaching as soon as possible; the second is to endeavor to be the impellor of China-New Zealand relations and contribute more to the Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms jointly built by the Chinese and New Zealand side and the third is to pay attention to safety, including personal and property safety as well as physical and mental health. Finally, Chen stressed that the MLAs must abide by local laws and regulations, respect customs and habits and raise the awareness of self-protection.

Chen Yue delivering a speech

Tony Browne, former New Zealand Ambassador to China and Council Director of the Confucius Institute at Victoria University of Wellington particularly emphasized that he hopes the MLAs will soon adapt to the life in New Zealand, work hard, live happily and enjoy every day working and living in New Zealand.

Tony Browne delivers a speech

To help the MLAs adapt to the diverse social life in New Zealand as soon as possible, this training session consisted of lectures, tours of campuses, experience sharing, as well as group discussions. Experienced principals of primary and junior schools, Chinese teachers, remaining MLAs and language education experts gave lectures on how to live in the diverse culture in New Zealand, how to get on well with local primary and junior school students, class management of local primary and junior schools, how to make Chinese teaching a success in local primary and junior schools, features of second language teaching and how to carry out cultural events support on campus. Chen Li’en, Director of the Confucius Institute and Zhao Yezhu, Vice Director of the Confucius Institute delivered special reports. Besides, as it coincided with the Waitangi Day, the Confucius Institute arranged the MLAs to visit the Parliament Buildings of New Zealand and National Library to learn about the history and culture of New Zealand.

The MLAs taking photos in front of the Parliament House

The 55 MLAs came from Chinese universities such as Xiamen University, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing Normal University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Sichuan International Studies University, China University of Petroleum and China Foreign Affairs University. On February 10th, the MLAs were sent to over 140 primary and junior schools in 24 cities and towns including Wellington, Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, Hawke's Bay District, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty Region and Gisborne for one-year Chinese language teaching support and culture promotion.