More than 60 secondary school students from the United Kingdom arrived at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) on July 5 to begin a two-week intensive Mandarin course as part of the Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP).
Over the next two weeks, students will undergo rigorous language training and explore local culture through school visits and trips to museums and historic sites like Yongqing Fang.
The Mandarin Excellence Programme is a UK initiative launched in 2016 to put students in England on the path to fluency in Mandarin Chinese. Each year, the programme organizes intensive study trips in China for Year 9 students, offering a blend of language learning and cultural exploration.
"Chinese language skills are essential for gaining a deeper understanding of China and its culture and for nurturing envoys of friendship between the two countries" said Yang Li, Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies at GDUFS, during the opening ceremony. "I hope everyone can take advantage of this opportunity to prepare themselves to master Chinese and ultimately use it to create more fascinating, challenging, and fulfilling lives."
Sarah Mann, British Consul General in Guangzhou, also welcomed the students: “This will be an opportunity not only to practice Chinese but also to better understand China—its culture, its history, its society. I hope you will experience China in all its richness and diversity and truly enjoy your time here.”
Ife, a Year 9 student from Mayfield Grammar School in Kent, came to Guangzhou with a long to-do list. "I want to make lots of friends, practice my Mandarin, and try lots of local food," she said. "There aren't many Chinese communities back home in Kent, so this is a great opportunity."
The Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP) is delivered by IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, on behalf of the British Department for Education (DfE) in partnership with the British Council and with the support of China’s Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC).
Reporter | Chen Siyuan
Photo | Chen Siyuan
Editor | Hu Nan, James, Shen He
