TAG-Confucius Newsletter | Issue 24 - May 2018 Talal Abu Ghazaleh-Confucius Institute: IN THIS ISSUE: The Institute was established in September 2008 TAG-Confucius Institute Participates in the Festival to introduce the Chinese language and culture, as of “Creativity and Action” at Cambridge Schools well as achieving a greater mutual understanding TAG-Confucius Institute Participates in Zaha between the Arab and Chinese cultures. This unique Cultural Festival initiative is based on the cooperation agreement TAG-Confucius Institute Students Achieve between Talal Abu-Ghazakeh Organization and Excellent Results in the 17th “Chinese Bridge” Confucius Institute in China. The Institute has Competition been named after the great intellectual, mentor Xi’an and philosopher, Confucius, whose ideas had influenced China and other regions around the world for over 2,000 years. For inquiries please contact us Tel: +962 - 6 5100600 | Fax: +962 - 6 5100606 website: www.tagconfucius.com | Email: [email protected] TAG-Confucius Newsletter Issue 24 - May 2018 TAG-Confucius Institute is the first institute accredited by the Chinese Government to teach Chinese language in Jordan. TAG-Confucius Institute is holding a new course to teach the basics of the Chinese language for beginners: A. Threshold Level for Adults: starting 25/06/2018 Schedule: Monday and Wednesday from 6:00 – 8:00 pm B. Threshold Level for Kids: starting 24/06/2018 Schedule of the course: Saturday from 3:00- 4:30 pm And Tuesday from 4:00-5:30 pm *All Chinese language teachers are from China specialized in teaching Chinese language for foreigners and accredited by the Confucius Institute in China. TAG-Confucius Institute Participates in the Festival of “Creativity and Action” at Cambridge Schools AMMAN - Talal Abu-Ghazaleh- Confucius Institute (TAG-Confucius) participated in the Festival of Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) at the Cambridge Schools. Many students and people interested in Chinese civilization and language visited the Institute’s booth; while TAG-Confucius’ staff briefed the attendees on the educational and cultural activities organized by the Institute. During the Festival, students and attendees had the opportunity to participate in some of the Institute’s activities including Chinese calligraphy, traditional Chinese costumes and Chinese tea customs. The School administration expressed its gratitude to the Institute highlighting its efforts in promoting the Chinese language and culture and its participation in such activities. 1 TAG-Confucius Newsletter Issue 24 - May 2018 TAG-Confucius Institute Participates in Zaha Cultural Festival AMMAN- Under the patronage of HRH Princess Sana Asem, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Confucius Institute (TAG-Confucius), the official testing center for China›s HSK examinations (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), participated in the annual festival of the Zaha Cultural Center. Representatives from several embassies and institutes participated in the cultural event. TAG- Confucius booth received many visitors especially students who were interested in learning more about the Chinese language and culture. TAG-Confucius held several exciting activities including Chinese calligraphy, dressing up traditional Chinese costumes and the Chinese tea ceremony. HRH Princess Sana expressed admiration and pride of the existence of an institute with such efficiency and capacity in Jordan. During that event, TAG-Confucius teachers briefed the attendees on the services, activities and scholarships granted by the Institute to students as well as the student summer camps organized by the Institute in China which aim at promoting the Chinese language and culture. TAG-Confucius Institute Students Achieve Excellent Results in the 17th “Chinese Bridge” Competition AMMAN - The Preliminary Round in Jordan of the 17th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students and the 9th “Great Wall-Petra Cup” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Jordanian College Students was held at Philadelphia University on May 9, 2018, which was sponsored by Confucius Institute Headquarters/Hanban in China and hosted by Chinese embassy in Jordan and Confucius Institute at Philadelphia University. Chinese ambassador HE Pan Weifang, the cultural counsellor Yang Ronghao, President of Philadelphia University Prof. Marwan Kamal,attended the competition. Ten students from TAG-Confucius 2 TAG-Confucius Newsletter Issue 24 - May 2018 Institute, the University of Jordan, Confucius Institute at Philadelphia University, Yarmouk University participated in the competition. Chinese ambassador Pan Weifang said in his opening speech that there are many diligent and excellent college students and they are making contributions to Jordan by their own actions. The friendship between China and Jordan has a long history and there are many educational cooperative programs between the two countries. He hoped that the students can continue to make efforts to learn Chinese well and play important roles in the exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries. The competition consists of the speech with the theme of “One World, One Family”, questions and answers about Chinese national conditions and culture, and talent show. In the speech, some contestants talked about their life and study experience in many Arab countries; some told stories about their unforgettable journeys in China; some expressed their good wishes of a peaceful world. During the question-answer section, the extensive and profound Chinese culture was condensed into a lot of questions concerning drama, ancient poems, painting, traditional festivals, pictograph, the Silk Road and the others. The contestants made full use of their knowledge and showed a fantastic feast of Chinese language and culture. Talent show was the most wonderful part. The contestants showed their best talents including guitar playing and singing, calligraphy, poem recitation, Taiji, dance, etc. and won the heated applause. After fierce competition, Alaa from TAG-Confucius Institute won the second place by her accurate tones and clear articulation in her speech, deep knowledge-based reserve and amazing guitar playing and singing. She got the qualification to go to China in July this year to watch the “Chinese Bridge” final competition. Lara from TAG-Confucius Institute got the fourth place. After the competition, Alaa expressed her wish to be a Chinese teacher and help more Jordanian people to learn Chinese language and culture. “Chinese Bridge” competition provides a stage for youth to show their Chinese learning achievements and a platform to learn from and communicate with each other. It is also a good opportunity to test the results of Chinese teaching. The competition will further inspire the students’ enthusiasm and interest in learning Chinese and enhance their understanding of Chinese language and culture. Xi′an Xi’an is a large city and capital of Shaanxi Province in central China. Once known as Chang’an (Eternal Peace), it marks the Silk Road’s eastern end and was home to the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang dynasties› ruling houses. At archaeological sites in Xi’an’s surrounding plains are the 3 TAG-Confucius Newsletter Issue 24 - May 2018 famed Bingmayong (Terra Cotta Army), thousands of life-size, hand-molded figures buried with China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Things to do in Xi’an 1. Terracotta Army The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. 2. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Giant Wild Goose Pagoda or Big Wild Goose Pagoda, is a Buddhist pagoda Located in southern Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China. It was built in 652 during the Tang dynasty and originally had five stories 3. Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor is located in Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi province of China. 4. Fortifications of Xi’an The fortifications of Xi’an, also known as Xi’an City Wall, in Xi’an, an ancient capital of China, represent one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls. 5. Huaqing Pool Huaqing Pool or the Huaqing Hot Springs are a complex of hot springs located in an area characterized by mild weather and scenic views at the northern foot of Mount Li, one of the three major peaks of the Qin Mountains. 6. Drum Tower of Xi’an The Drum Tower of Xi’an, located in the heart of Xi’an in Shaanxi province of China, along with the Bell Tower is a symbol of the city. 7. Great Mosque of Xi’an The Great Mosque of Xi’an is the largest mosque in China. An active place of worship within Xi’an Muslim Quarter, this courtyard complex is also a popular tourist site. The majority of the mosque was built during the early Ming dynasty. 8. Shaanxi History Museum Shaanxi History Museum, which is located to the northwest of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in the ancient city Xi’an, in the Shaanxi province of China, is one of the first huge state museums with modern facilities in China and one of the largest. 9. Bell Tower of Xi’an The Bell Tower of Xi’an, built in 1384 during the early Ming Dynasty, is a symbol of the city of Xi’an and one of the grandest of its kind in China. The Bell Tower also contains several large bronze-cast bells from the Tang Dynasty. 10. Mount Li Mount Li is a mountain located in the northeast of Xi’an in Shaanxi Province, China. The mountain is part of the Qinling mountain range and rises to a height of 1302 metres above sea level. 4.