Written by Keith Beattie, Chinese teacher at Henderson Intermediate School
Keith Beattie’s note for Chinese Course
I was fortunate enough to participate in the online Chinese language course that was provided through East China Normal University, in collaboration with Tui Tuia free of charge via Zoom. This was a great hands-on opportunity to learn introductory spoken mandarin with a teacher who was able to adapt each lesson to accommodate each student.
With each session, all of the students developed confidence in speaking Mandarin and were given many opportunities to speak mandarin in different scenarios. With the help of the teacher and other students this made for an effective learning environment for everyone involved. Each week, we were given an insight not only into the language but the culture and nuances to do with the language which helped unpack ideas that were not otherwise obvious.
I thoroughly enjoyed this course, and recommend this for anyone who may be hesitant to start learning Mandarin. It is a great chance to unpack and learn more about China as a whole!
Qixi 七夕
Written by Fiona Yen, Facilitator for Tui Tuia | Learning Circle
Chinese Valentine's Day, also known as Qixi 七夕, falls on the 22nd of August this year. This particular day tells a beautiful but sad story about a cowherd who fell in love with a weaver fairy from Heaven. Upon delving into the story, I discovered something interesting that I would like to share with you.
The Qixi 七夕 Festival originated from people's worship of nature. Historical records indicate that at least three to four thousand years ago, people had an understanding of astronomy and developed textile technology, leading to records related to the stars Altair and Vega. The worship of stars extended beyond just Altair and Vega; people believed in the existence of seven stars representing the directions in the east, west, south, and north. Due to social restrictions on personal freedom at that time, people sought solace by attributing their emotions to celestial stars.
During the evening of July, the Vega rises to its highest point of the year and becomes clearly visible. It is accompanied by two dimmer stars on each side, forming an open shape facing east, where the Altair can be seen.
The love story of the cowherd and the weaver fairy seems to convey a particular perspective on love to the world: "If this love is true and enduring, does it matter if we cannot be together every day and night?" Happy Qi xi 七夕 ❤
Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival Workshop
Article by Grace Rissetto, Chinese Language Teacher from ACG Strathallan School
On June 11th, a group of passionate Chinese language teachers gathered at the Tui Tuia venue for an exciting event called the "Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival Workshop". This event offered a culturally immersive experience to our Chinese teachers, allowing them to enjoy a day filled with innovative idea sharing and interactive, hands-on activities related to resource creation.
Group Photo (teachers holding Zòngzi and Zòngzi Sachet they made)
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Yan Yang for organizing such a workshop, which successfully integrated multiple cultural activities enriched with hands-on experiences. Under the guidance of the instructors from CNSST, Chinese teachers followed step-by-step instructions to make Zòngzi, sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, from scratch. They thoughtfully prepared the Zòngzi ingredients, providing the teachers with the opportunity to make two different kinds of sticky rice dumplings—one using cooked ingredients and the other with raw materials. This activity not only allowed the teachers to learn a traditional culinary skill but also deepened their understanding of Chinese culture.
Making Zòngzi
Following the Zongzi making activity, the teachers learned how to create Xiangbao, a type of fragrant sachet used for expelling evil and attracting good luck, through paper crafting. The instructors introduced a unique approach to crafting Xiangbao, enhancing the authenticity of the cultural experience. This hands-on craft making session allowed the teachers to explore traditional Chinese art forms and further connect with the cultural heritage they teach. During lunchtime, a delicious and diverse selection of Chinese cuisine was thoughtfully provided, allowing the teachers to enjoy a meal while catching up with their colleagues.
Creating Chinese Shadow Puppets
To everyone's delight, the Chinese teachers concluded the day with energetic Chinese fan dances taught by our enthusiastic Niuyangge tutors from China. These dance tutors shared their authentic moves, inspiring the teachers to integrate dance into their Chinese language teaching. The lively and action-filled fan dances not only showcased the beauty of Chinese culture but also provided a unique approach to engage students in language learning.
Overall, it was a day filled with cultural immersion, innovative activities, and the sharing of ideas among passionate Chinese language educators. The Dragon Boat Festival Workshop successfully fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese traditions, leaving the teachers motivated and inspired to enhance their teaching practices.
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2023 - Chinese - Term 3 Newsletter Articles
Beginning your Mandarin journey the right way
Written by Keith Beattie, Chinese teacher at Henderson Intermediate School
Keith Beattie’s note for Chinese Course
I was fortunate enough to participate in the online Chinese language course that was provided through East China Normal University, in collaboration with Tui Tuia free of charge via Zoom. This was a great hands-on opportunity to learn introductory spoken mandarin with a teacher who was able to adapt each lesson to accommodate each student.
With each session, all of the students developed confidence in speaking Mandarin and were given many opportunities to speak mandarin in different scenarios. With the help of the teacher and other students this made for an effective learning environment for everyone involved. Each week, we were given an insight not only into the language but the culture and nuances to do with the language which helped unpack ideas that were not otherwise obvious.
I thoroughly enjoyed this course, and recommend this for anyone who may be hesitant to start learning Mandarin. It is a great chance to unpack and learn more about China as a whole!
Qixi 七夕
Written by Fiona Yen, Facilitator for Tui Tuia | Learning Circle
Chinese Valentine's Day, also known as Qixi 七夕, falls on the 22nd of August this year. This particular day tells a beautiful but sad story about a cowherd who fell in love with a weaver fairy from Heaven. Upon delving into the story, I discovered something interesting that I would like to share with you.
The Qixi 七夕 Festival originated from people's worship of nature. Historical records indicate that at least three to four thousand years ago, people had an understanding of astronomy and developed textile technology, leading to records related to the stars Altair and Vega. The worship of stars extended beyond just Altair and Vega; people believed in the existence of seven stars representing the directions in the east, west, south, and north. Due to social restrictions on personal freedom at that time, people sought solace by attributing their emotions to celestial stars.
During the evening of July, the Vega rises to its highest point of the year and becomes clearly visible. It is accompanied by two dimmer stars on each side, forming an open shape facing east, where the Altair can be seen.
The love story of the cowherd and the weaver fairy seems to convey a particular perspective on love to the world: "If this love is true and enduring, does it matter if we cannot be together every day and night?" Happy Qi xi 七夕 ❤
Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival Workshop
Article by Grace Rissetto, Chinese Language Teacher from ACG Strathallan School
On June 11th, a group of passionate Chinese language teachers gathered at the Tui Tuia venue for an exciting event called the "Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival Workshop". This event offered a culturally immersive experience to our Chinese teachers, allowing them to enjoy a day filled with innovative idea sharing and interactive, hands-on activities related to resource creation.
Group Photo (teachers holding Zòngzi and Zòngzi Sachet they made)
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Yan Yang for organizing such a workshop, which successfully integrated multiple cultural activities enriched with hands-on experiences. Under the guidance of the instructors from CNSST, Chinese teachers followed step-by-step instructions to make Zòngzi, sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, from scratch. They thoughtfully prepared the Zòngzi ingredients, providing the teachers with the opportunity to make two different kinds of sticky rice dumplings—one using cooked ingredients and the other with raw materials. This activity not only allowed the teachers to learn a traditional culinary skill but also deepened their understanding of Chinese culture.
Making Zòngzi
Following the Zongzi making activity, the teachers learned how to create Xiangbao, a type of fragrant sachet used for expelling evil and attracting good luck, through paper crafting. The instructors introduced a unique approach to crafting Xiangbao, enhancing the authenticity of the cultural experience. This hands-on craft making session allowed the teachers to explore traditional Chinese art forms and further connect with the cultural heritage they teach. During lunchtime, a delicious and diverse selection of Chinese cuisine was thoughtfully provided, allowing the teachers to enjoy a meal while catching up with their colleagues.
Creating Chinese Shadow Puppets
To everyone's delight, the Chinese teachers concluded the day with energetic Chinese fan dances taught by our enthusiastic Niuyangge tutors from China. These dance tutors shared their authentic moves, inspiring the teachers to integrate dance into their Chinese language teaching. The lively and action-filled fan dances not only showcased the beauty of Chinese culture but also provided a unique approach to engage students in language learning.
Overall, it was a day filled with cultural immersion, innovative activities, and the sharing of ideas among passionate Chinese language educators. The Dragon Boat Festival Workshop successfully fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese traditions, leaving the teachers motivated and inspired to enhance their teaching practices.
