From July 20 to August 2, students of Sinology at the Vilnius University Confucius Institute, together with participants of the Institute’s Chinese language courses, had a unique opportunity to take part in a SUMMER SCHOOL in Shanghai at East China Normal University.
Over the course of two weeks, Chinese language learning was combined with cultural experiences and opportunities to explore the city. The trip provided participants not only with the opportunity to study, but also to practise Chinese in real-life situations and gain a deeper understanding of Shanghai’s history, traditions, and contemporary life.
Each day, participants attended thematic spoken Chinese lessons, and in the second half of the day, while exploring Shanghai, visiting museums and historical sites, they were able to put newly learned vocabulary and everyday expressions into practice.
Language learning became an integral part of discovering the city: Chinese was heard and used not only in university classrooms, but also while travelling around the city and communicating with local people.
The programme also offered a wide range of cultural experiences. Participants were introduced to the tea ceremony and had the opportunity to try traditional clay modelling, calligraphy, batik dyeing, and shadow theatre. These activities allowed them to experience Chinese culture not only as observers, but also by creating and trying traditional crafts themselves.
The excursions also became opportunities for learning and discovery. Participants visited Shanghai’s Old City, Yuyuan Garden (Yùyuán 豫园) and the City God Temple (Shànghǎi Chénghuángmiào 上海城隍庙), the famous Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower (Dōngfāng Míngzhū Guǎngbō Diànshì Tǎ 东方明珠广播电视塔), Nanjing Road (Nánjīng Lù 南京路), the Tianzifang (Tiánzǐfāng 田子坊) and Xintiandi (Xīntiāndì 新天地) districts, the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (Shànghǎi Kējìguǎn 上海科技馆), and the East Branch of the Shanghai Museum (Shànghǎi Bówùguǎn Dōngguǎn 上海博物馆东馆). Participants also travelled to the water town of Zhujiajiao (Zhūjiājiǎo 朱家角) and visited the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shànghǎi Zhōngyīyào Bówùguǎn 上海中医药博物馆), where they learned about traditional Chinese medicine and its therapeutic practices at the Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shànghǎi Zhōngyīyào Dàxué Fùshǔ Yuèyáng Zhōngxīyī Jiéhé Yīyuàn 上海中医药大学附属岳阳中西医结合医院).
Two weeks in Shanghai became an opportunity to learn Chinese through direct experience, immerse themselves in Chinese culture, and discover one of the world’s most dynamic cities. The experience demonstrated that a language truly comes alive when it can be heard, practised, and used in real-life situations.
We would like to thank our partner, East China Normal University, for the warm welcome and excellently organised programme, as well as the university lecturers for their engaging and inspiring classes and practical activities. This summer school provided an excellent opportunity not only to explore the fascinating city of Shanghai, but also to gain a deeper insight into Chinese culture and everyday life.
We hope that this journey became an unforgettable experience for all the summer school participants and that the opportunity to put their Chinese language skills into practice allowed them to experience the true joy of learning and communicating!
As the new academic year approaches, we invite you to continue learning Chinese, deepen your knowledge, and embark together on a new stage of discovering Chinese culture.