The Confucius Institute at the University of Newcastle successfully ran two Chinese Language and Cultural Workshops in June and July for school children from Speers Point Public School, Booragul Public School, Fennell Bay Public School and Lake Macquarie High School.

The workshop consisted of four different sessions - Chinese Language, Chinese Food, Chinese Paper Folding, and Chinese Song and Dance. It combined teaching with practice and offered many hands-on activities. Students learned simple Chinese expressions, practised their chopsticks skills and made dumplings by themselves. They also learned traditional paper folding skills, popular children’s songs and Chinese traditional fan dance.

The workshop was full of fun and enjoyed by all students. It was designed to give local school children a ‘taste’ of China and to spark their interest in Chinese language and culture. It forms part of the Confucius Institute’s effort to improve Chinese literacy in local schools.

For more information about the Confucius Institute and its school and community engagement programs, please contact the Institute at 4985 4360 or visit their website here.