On May 12, the closing ceremony of the first Senate of the Philippines Chinese mandarin training program was held at the Confucius Institute of Angeles University Foundation. More than 50 people attended the event, including Arji Renato, Secretary General of the Philippine Senate, Xiong Sheng, Education Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, Engr Jose Macapagal, Vice President of Angeles University Foundation, Xu Lei, the Chinese dean of the Confucius Institute, Pei Gang, the Philippine dean of the Confucius Institute, Chinese language teachers and the Senate officials who participated in the training program.
The Senate officials visited the library, Xinhua Smart Chinese Language Classroom, Xinhua Smart Music Classroom and offices of the Confucius Institute at Angeles University Foundation. They also participated in the Chinese culture experience programs prepared by the Confucius Institute, such as paper-cutting, calligraphy, Chinese knots, Peking Opera and traditional Chinese costumes, as well as the display of teaching resources, to learn about Chinese language and the charm of Chinese culture.
At the closing ceremony, the distinguished guests delivered speeches respectively, expressing their recognition for the Chinese mandarin training program and their expectations for the lasting friendship between China and the Philippines. Later, the Senate officials and Chinese language teachers sang the Chinese songs The Brightest Star in the Night Sky and Look Up at the Starry Sky, and shouted “May friendship between China and the Philippines last forever” in unison, which won bursts of applause and created a warm atmosphere.
It is learned that the Chinese mandarin training program was hosted by the Confucius Institute at Angeles University Foundation. Over a period of more than three months, the officials of the Philippine Senate involved received training in nearly 30 language points, including “introduction of basic personal information”, “description of the quantity and color of things”, “correctly pronouncing the syllables” and “understanding of traditional Chinese festivals”, which improved their Chinese pronunciation, expression and cultural competence in all respects and deepened their understanding of Chinese language and culture.
(Translated by Huang Min/ Reviewed by Xie Xiujuan)