Constructing the Bridge of Chinese Language, Conveying the Beauty of China

"I hope that my students can view China from a diversified perspective, and that more Thai students can appreciate the beauty of Chinese language and China." Volunteer Chinese Language Teacher Dong Jingya expressed that she would like to make her Thai students know more about China and convey the beauty of China by constructing the bridge of Chinese language.

Dong Jingya (second from the right) taking photos with Thai teachers

In March 2022, Dong Jingya from East China Jiaotong University was selected for the Volunteer Chinese Language Teacher Program and arrived at Ubon Ratch Secondary School in Ubon Ratchatani province, Thailand, in August 2022 to teach Chinese language to the students from the first to the third year of high school. Recently, she celebrated her mini vacation and entered a new phase of her Chinese language teaching work.

Since the launch of the Volunteer Chinese Language Teacher Program in 2004, more than 60,000 volunteers have taught in 151 countries and regions, contributing to the promotion of friendship and exchanges among people from all over the world.

"I've been to Thailand many times before and I like to try new things, so I wanted to try teaching in a different country to better understand diverse cultures." When it comes to the reason why she went to Thailand to become a Chinese language teacher, Dong Jingya considers it a novel experience to "experience diverse cultures".

In order to teach better, Dong Jingya has learned some Thai and intersperses Chinese, English and Thai in her classes. In her opinion, what lies behind language is culture, and learning different languages also allows her to think in a different cultural context and learn to appreciate and embrace different cultures, which is also a very valuable learning experience for herself.

Dong Jingya taking with Thai students

"Prior to our arrival, local students already had some knowledge about China, they not only love Chinese songs of ancient style, but also appreciate traditional costumes like Hanfu." According to Dong, many Thai students wanted to see the Great Wall in Beijing, some chose to study in universities in Chongqing for the hot pot, and others were curious about the taste of “Kung Pao Chicken”.

Among the luggage brought to Thailand, Dong Jingya also packed several cheongsams, and when wearing them, the local students would join together to take pictures. In addition, the local school also regularly organizes traditional Chinese cultural activities such as calligraphy and paper-cutting. Dong Jingya always answers questions about China from students with curiosity.

"Thai students are energetic and active, with exceptional hands-on skills and expressiveness, and they are all good dancers, also never stingy in expressing their love for their teachers." Dong Jingya always shares a lot when talking about her students. In her opinion, this volunteer job not only makes her understand the customs and living habits of different countries, but also enables her to become more confident, happy and outgoing in dealing with students.

At present, there are two Thai teachers in Dong Jingya's Chinese group who have also studied in China and would introduce the local students to Chinese customs and culture, and some students are currently applying to study in China.

When discussing the plan for the remaining volunteer work, Dong Jingya expressed that she will do her best to perform well in teaching Chinese language and will introduce more excellent traditional Chinese culture to local students, so that they can know a real, three-dimensional, comprehensive cultural China.

(Reporter Li Yunhan/Photos by Dong Jingya)