Recently, students from Class 2-1A of Intensive Chinese Program visited Lingqiao Middle School in Shanghai to engage in a wonderful cross-cultural exchange with Chinese students there.

Led by Mr Zhu of Lingqiao Middle School, the students first visited the teaching building, laboratory building, playground, etc. They praised the beautiful campus environment and advanced teaching facilities.

Afterwards, the students went to the second floor of the library to officially started the exchange activity. The international students greeted the Chinese students in their native languages and introduced themselves fluently in Chinese.

The Chinese student representatives introduced the courses and campus life of Chinese junior high schools to the international students, and also brought the Shanghai Opera performance ‘Jasmine Flower’ and English Drama performance ‘Water of Life’. There was thunderous applause and a lively atmosphere.

Next, students from France, Korea, the United States, Japan and Vietnam introduced the education situation and characteristics of their countries to the Chinese students, and showed them their study life in secondary school in terms of curriculum, time schedule and campus activities.

At the end of the activity, students were divided into small groups for free discussion, sharing snacks from all over the world and Shanghai specialities, and the classroom was filled with laughter.

This activity built a bridge of friendship between Chinese and foreign students, which not only promoted language practice and cultural exchange, but also deepened their understanding of different education systems, enhanced international friendship and broadened their horizons.

Social practice activity is an extension of Chinese class, taking students into various aspects of life in Chinese society, applying Chinese in real-life context, and gaining language progress and cultural insights.