TAG-Confucius Newsletter | Issue 36 - May 2019 Talal Abu Ghazaleh-Confucius Institute: IN THIS ISSUE: The Institute was established in September 2008 TAG-Confucius Institute is holding a new to introduce the Chinese language and culture, as course to teach the basics of the Chinese well as achieving a greater mutual understanding language for beginners: between the Arab and Chinese cultures. This TAG-Confucius Institute Attends 2019 Joint unique initiative is based on the cooperation Conference of Confucius Institutes in Arab Countries agreement between Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global TAG-Confucius Institute launched the Online and Confucius Institute in China. The Institute has Courses Approved by Confucius Institute Headquarters been named after the great intellectual, mentor and philosopher, Confucius, whose ideas had TAG-Confucius Institute won the first Place in the 18th “Chinese Bridge” Competition influenced China and other regions around the world for over 2,000 years. The Six Most Beautiful Caves in China For inquiries please contact us Tel: +962 - 6 5100600 | Fax: +962 - 6 5100606 website: www.tagconfucius.com | Email: [email protected] TAG-Confucius Newsletter Issue 35 - April 2019 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 17/6/2019 Schedule: Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 – 5:00 pm B. Threshold Level for Kids: starting 15/6/2019 Schedule of the course: Saturday from 3:00- 4:30 pm And Tuesday from 3:00-4:30 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 Attends 2019 Joint Conference of Confucius Institutes in Arab Countries On April 28, the Joint Conference of Confucius Institutes in Arab Countries 2019 was held in Dubai, UAE, which was sponsored by Confucius Institute Headquarters/ Hanban in China and host by Confucius Institute at University of Dubai. Deputy Chief Executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters Yu Yunfeng, Assistant Undersecretary of UAE Ministry of Education Hamad Mohammad Al Yahyaei, President of University of Dubai Dr. Eesa M. Bastaki, Acting Consul-General of Consulate-General of China in Dubai Tan Li attended the Conference. More than 80 Chinese and foreign delegates from 17 Confucius Institutes/Classrooms in 10 Arab countries were present at the Conference. Yu Yunfeng emphasized in his speech that Confucius Institutes in Arab countries should attach importance to the development of connotation, adapt to local conditions and promote the development with characteristics. Confucius Institutes should strengthen collaboration and exchange experience and thoughts. He put forward five suggestions for the development of Confucius Institutes: sticking to the development of connotation and constantly consolidating the foundation of development; promoting the process of localization to help local social development; striving to find a correct position to achieve characteristic development; promoting cooperation and collaborative development; vigorously embracing modern science and technology, and contributing to the sustainable development of Confucius Institutes through digital means. The delegates participated in panel discussions on the topics such as collaborative development of Confucius Institutes, performance management of Confucius Institutes and sustainable development of Confucius Institutes. Dr. Yang Songfang, Chinese Director of TAG-Confucius Institute, shared with the delegates the practice and experience of TAG-Confucius Institutes from the aspects of the collaboration of education, business and trade, human resources and academy on the topic “how 1 TAG-Confucius Newsletter Issue 35 - April 2019 to strengthen the collaboration between Confucius Institute and government departments, social institutions and enterprises”. At the closing ceremony, Han Guohai, Vice President of Shenyang Normal University that is the partner university of TAG-Confucius Institute, delivered a speech on behalf of partner Chinese universities. He expressed that Confucius Institutes will continue to strengthen the development of connotation in the future, improve the quality of education, actively carry out cooperation, achieve regional. Effect, create the characteristic projects and brand of Confucius Institutes in Arab countries, and promote the deep integration of Chinese and Arab civilizations. This conference provided a good platform for Confucius Institutes in Arab countries to exchange experience and collaborate with each other. Delegates agreed that this is a pragmatic, efficient and fruitful event, which will promote the Confucius Institutes in Arab countries to further improve the quality of education, enhance the regional influence of Confucius Institutes, and promote language and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Arab countries. TAG-Confucius Institute launched the Online Courses Approved by Confucius Institute Headquarters On April 30, Confucius Institute Headquarters announced the results of online courses project in 2019. Business Chinese Course and Chinese Proficiency Test HSK Level 3 Course applied by Chinese Director Dr. Yang Songfang of TAG-Confucius Institute were approved and funded by Confucius Institute Headquarters, which is a breakthrough in the history of Chinese language teaching at TAG-Confucius Institute. In order to strengthen the construction of Confucius Institutes, improve the quality of education, meet the needs of teaching development, Confucius Institute Headquarters launched the “Confucius Institutes Online Courses and Resources Development and Construction Project”. TAG-Confucius Institute applied for the above-mentioned two courses in accordance with the characteristics of the students of the Institute and its own advantages, aiming to help more professionals and students learn Chinese language and culture. With the strong support of Confucius Institute Headquarters and TAG. Global, TAG- Confucius Institute will plan carefully, organize elaborately and start the course construction work as soon as possible. The Institute will attach importance to the course construction process to ensure the smooth realization of the course construction objectives. 2 TAG-Confucius Newsletter Issue 35 - April 2019 TAG-Confucius Institute won the first Place in the 18th “Chinese Bridge” Competition AMMAN -The Preliminary Round in Jordan of profound Chinese culture was condensed into a the 18th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency lot of questions concerning drama, ancient poems, Competition for Foreign College Students and the painting, traditional festivals, pictograph, the Silk 10th “Great Wall-Petra Cup” Chinese Proficiency Road and the others. Competition for Jordanian College Students was held at Jordan University on May 16, 2019, which The contestants made full use of their knowledge was sponsored by Confucius Institute Headquarters/ and showed a fantastic feast of Chinese language Hanban in China and hosted by Chinese embassy in and culture. Talent show was the most wonderful Jordan and Jordan University. Chinese ambassador HE part. The contestants showed their best talents Pan Weifang, the cultural counsellor Yang Ronghao, including guitar playing and singing, calligraphy, President of Jordan University University Prof. Ahmad poem recitation, Taiji, dance, etc. and won the Majthoub, attended the competition. Eleven students heated applause.After fierce competition, Sara from TAG-Confucius Institute, the University of from TAG-Confucius Institute won the first place Jordan, Confucius Institute at Philadelphia University, by her accurate tones and clear articulation in participated in the competition. her speech and the skill in writing the Chinese calligraphy. She got the qualification to go to Chinese ambassador Pan Weifang gave a China in July this year to watch the “Chinese congratulation for the coming of the holy month of Bridge” final competition. Manal from TAG- Ramadan, and he said the friendship between China Confucius Institute got the third place. After the and Jordan has a long history and there are many competition, Sara expressed her wish to be a educational cooperative programs between the two Chinese teacher and help more Jordanian people countries. He hoped that the students can continue to learn Chinese language and culture. to make efforts to learn Chinese well and play important roles in the exchanges and cooperation “Chinese Bridge” competition provides a stage for in various fields between the two countries.The youth to show their Chinese learning achievements competition consists of the speech with the theme of and a platform to learn from and communicate with “One World, One Family”, questions and answers each other. It is also a good opportunity to test the about Chinese national conditions and culture, results of Chinese teaching. The competition will and talent show. In the speech, some contestants further inspire the students’ enthusiasm and interest talked about their life and study experience.During in learning Chinese and enhance their understanding the question-answer section, the extensive and of Chinese language and culture. 3 TAG-Confucius Newsletter Issue 35 - April 2019 The Six Most Beautiful Caves in China Zhijin Cave: Zhijin cave is located in south bank of Wujiang