News
North American Confucius Institute Joint Conference (Washington, D.C.)
Date: April 24th-25th, 2010
Executive Director of the Confucius Institute in Quebec (CIQ), Meng Rong, was again joined by Chinese Director Yi Min for the North American Confucius Institute Joint Conference in Washington, D.C. on August 24th and 25th, 2010. In total, the conference was attended by representatives from 74 Confucius Institutes and 92 Confucius Classrooms.
A major theme of this conference, as in Edmonton, was the exchange of experiences and information. In addition to the US government's involvement in programming, the Beijing Headquarter provides assistance to Confucius Institutes in the form of programs for school principals. Last year, 400 principals travelled to China to learn about the programs that they can institute in their schools and the ways in which their students can benefit from them. In lieu of this, further discussion centered on emphasizing Chinese language and culture courses to Elementary and High School Boards in an effort to establish new programs and continue training local teachers.
Seminar: Early Childhood Literacy Development
Date: April 22, 2010
On April 22nd, Dawson College was fortunate to receive Professor Shu Hua, expert in child psychology from Beijing Normal University on her way through Montreal to conferences in the U.S., including a talk at Yale University.
Professor Shu Hua specializes in reading and it's relation to brain development in children. Her discussion focused on conventional definitions of reading and incorporated less-recognized "image reading" as a key step in stimulating the logical thought process in children. In doing so, she argued that discerning pictures can be just as, if not more, important than the introduction to reading texts in the early stages of children's education.
As she is extremely well-known in her field, Professor Shu Hua's talk was well received, attended and drew considerable attention.
Canadian Confucius Institute Director's Conference (Edmonton, Alberta)
Date: April 14th, 2010
Meng Rong, Executive Director of the Confucius Institute in Quebec (CIQ), Chinese Director Yi Min, and Dean of International Development Donald Walker, joined Stuart Wachowicz, Director of the Confucius Institute in Edmonton, and directors from New Brunswick's and McMaster University's Confucius Institutes (CI) for the Directors' Conference in Edmonton, Alberta on April 14th 2010.
Discussions in the Edmonton CI boardroom underlined the evolution of the Chinese language and new methods for the expansion of Chinese programs that would involve the different levels of government as well as schools and instructors across Canada. Further dialogue focused on promoting the economic value of functionality in Chinese and the benefits that could be drawn from interaction between CIs in Canada and abroad.
Finally, the Confucius Institute's influence was highlighted by a visit to two Edmonton schools, Kildare Elementary and Londonderry Junior High School where the Mandarin Bilingual Program has been offered for over twenty years and now includes mathematics as one of their topics of instruction.
Seminar: Entering the Chinese Market for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and How to Avoid Pitfalls
Date: April 9, 2010
Montreal-born and educated Jérôme Beaugrand-Champagne, co-owner of the Chinese branch of the popular and expanding Canadian company, Fruits & Passions and a representative of HB Global (the consulting division of Heenan Blaikie LLP) presented his seminar, Entering the Chinese Market for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and How to Avoid Pitfalls at Dawson College on April 9th, 2010.
Beaugrand-Champagne relocated to China following the completion of his Université de Montréal law degree having received a joint scholarship from the Canadian and Chinese governments. The result was a Ph.D. in Chinese Economic Law at the China University of Political Science and Law. The culmination of Beaugrand-Champagne's experiences has acquainted him with Chinese culture, language and marketing to a level atypical of most foreigners, allowing him to assist others in establishing links with China.
Mr. Beaugrand-Champagne spent the afternoon candidly conveying his knowledge with his audience and touched on topics ranging from methods of company registration to the etiquette expected in signing contracts with Chinese partners, all while incorporating the importance of adherence to cultural tradition and what to avoid in meetings and joint ventures. Adding to his knowledge was Beaugrand-Champagne's ability to respond to his listeners' in fluent French, English and Chinese on an array of questions relating tointended business ventures, from the music business to opening a restaurant in China.
Tiger in Spring Concert at Dawson College
Date: March 20, 2010
Co-hosted with the Canadian Association of Oriental Fine Arts, the Confucius Institute presented the Tiger in Spring Concert to a full house at the Dawson Theatre. Among the guests were the Chinese Consular Guixi Li and Secretary Peng Zhou Song, who came from Ottawa specifically to attend the concert. They were joined by Dawson's own Donald Walker, Dean of International Development.
The predominantly non-Chinese audience arrived early, clearly eager to witness the concert to follow. They would not be disappointed. Dressed in traditional Chinese attire, Kevin Austin, the former chair of Concordia University's music department, introduced the Executive Director of the Confucius Institute of Québec, Meng Rong who delivered the opening address.
Several local Chinese groups participated in the concert, including the Montreal Guzheng Group, the Jiahua School of Montreal, the Sino Wushu Academy, Phoenix Artistic Troupe and incorporated performances by groups originating from the Philippines and India.
Set to the music of the Montreal Guzheng group, Tiger in Spring began with four performers acting out the Lion dance. Though not quite the classical portrayal of the Lion dance, the performers integrated a love story and received a loud ovation for their efforts.
In the spirit of the event, Montreal Guzheng again set the background for the reading of several of Confucius' classical poems and proverbs. Twenty five children, aged less than 10 years, undertook the reading of the philosopher's works and decorated the stage with their brightly-coloured and matching traditional clothing. The concert further highlighted Chinese culture with the performance of Martial Arts and Tai Chi.
Finally the audience was delighted by the emerging creation of a painting carried out throughout the concert.
Remarkably, several performers were not of Chinese decent as in the Tai Chi display, which incorporated 3 local Québécois participants, and the Montreal Guzheng Group whose percussionist, Charles Dugas, is most accomplished. Another young girl in a brilliant red costume performed a traditional Tibetan dance, while the Phoenix Artistic group performed a Xinjiang dance of Muslim origin.
Following the concert, many audience members exercised their limited knowledge of Chinese language to thank and congratulate the performers. The event was a great success and accomplishment for both the participants and the Confucius Institute in Quebec and its goal to promote Chinese language and culture.
The Confucius Institute Celebrates the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival with Collège Bourget and Dawson College
Date: February 16th & 17th , 2010
Collège Bourget, located near Rigaud, Québec was founded in 1850. Amongst its many goals, the Collège embraces the importance of the world we live in and the development of artistic and cultural awareness. It is in this spirit that the Collège Bourget undertook an agreement with the Hanban (The Office of Chinese Language Council International North America Office) in 2007 to offer Chinese culture and Mandarin instruction to its students as an elective class. With 95% of the student body made up of Québécois locals, it is remarkable that three years since the launch of these courses, there are seven grades attending Mandarin language and Chinese culture classes.
For the past two years, Collège Bourget has collaborated with the Confucius Institute of Québec to host Chinese springtime activities. This year, the two came together on February 16th, 2010 for a celebration of the Chinese New Year. Three Confucius Institute instructors, Tony Liang, Tingting Gu and Hangqing Shui led a group of artists and performers as they displayed their traditional talents and art forms. The day's activities saw three sets of Chinese music punctuated by the sounds of the classical two-stringed instrument, the erhu, performed by Qi Shen and a classical Vietnamese instrument performed by her student, Hun Bac Quach. Arguably the most accomplished player in Québec, Qi Shen's music accompanied the equally graceful display of the Tai Chi Sword and Fan, martial arts performances, and the recital of traditional Chinese dance by a young student of Jiahua School. Workshops by volunteer teacher Xao Bo Mu included calligraphy demonstrations, Chinese paper cut art, and customary Chinese tea service.
The day's activities were actively participated in and enthusiastically received by all, providing the perfect lead up to the Confucius Institute's presentation of the Chinese Spring Festival at Dawson College on February 17th, 2010. Confucius instructors again took center stage as Tony Liang and Hanginq Shui performed demonstrations of martial arts and Tai Chi while Jun Yuan, a renowned Chinese artist set down the names of students and staff alike in Calligraphy. Participants were also treated to an exhibition of the papercut by expert Hongmei Wang.
Date: November 18, 2009
On Friday, November 13, 2009, the Confucius Institute at the University of Waterloo and the Confucius Institute in Quebec (CIQ) sponsored a Conference commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Dr. Norman Bethune's death in 1939.
Dr. Bethune gained worldwide reputation for being a gifted surgeon, an inventor, a political activist and an early proponent of a universal health care system.
In China, Dr. Bethune is best known as a hero for his impact on Sino-Canadian relations and for working tirelessly 7 days, up to 80 hours, per week healing as well as training numerous doctors and nurses.
In 1938, Dr. Bethune joined the Chinese army to fight against the Japanese invasion where he immediately adopted the cause and the people as his own. In October 1939, during a Japanese attack, Dr. Bethune and his team rushed to the front where the worst fighting was unfolding and worked long hours caring for the wounded. While operating on a soldier, he cut his finger and contracted septicaemia (blood poisoning). He died of his wounds on November 12, 1939.
Seventy years after his death, he is still remembered fondly in China, where he recently received 4 million votes placing him at the top rank of China's 10 best foreign friends.
The welcome introductions were delivered by Yan Li, Director of the CI at the University of Waterloo and Meng Rong, Executive Director of the CIQ.
The theme of the conference was "The Many Norman Bethunes" and the following keynote speakers elaborated on different aspects of his life and legacy:
"The Medical Life of Norman Bethune" by Dr. Jean Deslauriers, distinguished academic, surgeon and professor of surgery at Laval University.
"Norman Bethune – Wounded in Love" by David Lethbridge, professor of Psychology at Okanagan College in Salmon Arm, BC.
"A colleague of Dr. Bethune in China" by Gary Huang, MBA from the Beijing Institute of Technology and CIQ teacher, whose speech was based on an interview last August in Beijing, with Professor Xin Yu Li, a colleague of Dr. Bethune.
"Norman Bethune's Mural: Arts as Mysticism and Medicine" by Dr. Judith Miller, professor of English at the University of Waterloo, poet and writer.
"Controversies around Norman Bethune's will" by Yan Li, professor and award winner writer who delivered an emotional presentation.
Before the lunch break, the speakers and the conference attendees paid tribute to Norman Bethune by heading to Norman Bethune Square and placing flowers under his statue.
Following the closing of the conference, a cocktail and dinner took place at Dawson College. Minister-Counselor, Mr. Chen Whenshen from the People's Republic of China delivered a speech. Speeches were also delivered by Mr. Richard Filion, Director General of Dawson, as well as other members of Dawson's administration.
Cross-Canada CI Director's meeting
Date: November 18, 2009
Stuart Wachowicz, President of the Confucius Institute in Edmonton along with Meng Rong, Executive Director of the Confucius Institute in Quebec (CIQ), hosted a Cross-Canada CI Director's meeting, that took place at Dawson College.
Along with the CI in Quebec, directors and representatives of the following Canadian Confucius Institutes attended the conference: CI in BICT (British Columbia Institute of Technology), CI in New Brunswick, CI at the University of Waterloo, CI at McMaster University and CI in Edmonton.
The purpose of the meeting was to summarize activities of each CI as well as to discuss next year's main plan. Challenges of CI development, joint program cooperation opportunities and sharing academic resources, were amongst other topics discussed.
Dr. Norman Bethune: Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of his death in 1939
Date & Time: Friday, November 13, 2009, 10 A.M - 5 P.M
Click here to view the poster in English (PDF)
Click here to view the poster in Chinese (PDF)
The 2009 Chinese Teaching Conference of Confucius Institutes in the US and Canada
Date: September 18 - 20, 2009
Limin Chen and Ming Dong, teachers at the Confucius Institute in Quebec (CIQ), represented Canada during the 2009 Chinese Teaching Conference of Confucius Institutes in the US and Canada, which took place in Portland, Oregon.
The purpose of the conference was to discuss various important topics including issues concerning the 3T's: Teachers, Teaching methods and Teaching materials relating to Chinese curriculum and pedagogy, in the US and Canada.
Our teachers could not help but notice that the CIQ is ahead of its time, since it is the only CI, in the US and in Canada, offering very successful non-credit courses.
Great Wall Chinese Textbook Series Workshop
Date: August 5 - 11, 2009
Along with more than 160 teachers dispatched by 80 Confucius Institutes (CI), Gary Huang, a Chinese teacher from the CI in Quebec, attended the Great Wall Chinese Textbook Series Workshop, a 5 day, 7 hours per day, intensive workshop.
Great Wall Chinese is the core textbook used by the CI. The goal is to develop students' Chinese communicative competence through a combination of on-line multimedia material, CD's, classroom teaching, textbooks and workbooks.
Part One, Essentials in Communication, consists of six volumes. These beginner volumes cover personal information, communication for survival, daily life, studying and working, social activities, etc., built around the lives of an international group of foreign students in China and their Chinese friends. The textbooks are illustrated in an attractive manga style.
At the end of the workshop, Gary gave a lecture to his peers, for which he received the "Best Special Teaching Curriculum Award".
Confucius Institute Scholarships
Date: August, 2009
Three students, from the Confucius Institute in Quebec (CIQ), received scholarships from the CI Headquarters.
The "Confucius Institute Scholarship" was established by the Chinese government, through the CI Headquarters, to encourage worldwide students and teachers, studying and/or teaching Chinese as a second language, to study Chinese language and culture in China. The duration of the scholarships, is for at least 6 months, and includes the following: textbooks, food & board, one time set-up and moving fees.
The following students are part of the first group of CIQ students to receive the scholarship:
Elliot Sharma, a smart and diligent McGill University graduate, wants to go to China to learn to speak Chinese like a Chinese native. He will be heading to Xiamen's Huaqiao University (HQU). HQU, an institution of higher learning, is one of the first Chinese universities to be rated "Excellent" in a nation-wide quality education evaluation.
Svetlang Vucetic, a bright and hard-working student, is eager to learn more about Chinese language and culture. She will be heading to Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), one of the China's "100 key universities of the 21st Century". SISU is a research, teaching, and multidisciplinary comprehensive university.
Kimberly Pascas, who is clever and studious, has postponed her departure until next year, when she will be heading to Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), the only international university in China, whose main task is to teach Chinese language and culture to foreign students.
Teacher training program in Shanghai
Date: July, 2009
From July 20 to August 15, 2009, Tony Lang, a Chinese teacher from the Confucius Institute in Quebec (CIQ) participated, in the four week teacher training program: "Teaching Chinese Abroad" at the East China Normal University in Shanghai (ECNU). The training program was organized by the CI Headquarters and sponsored by Hanban, the Office of Chinese Language Council International.
The training took place at ECNU's world-renowned International Center of Teacher Education (ICTE), where the best teaching team, along with the most advanced teaching facilities, was made available to the students.
The training program was attended by 24 teachers, from 12 countries, who benefited from ICTE's high quality training combined with a diverse world class curriculum.
Even though during the month of August the temperature in Shanghai can reach above (40°C), Tony continued to learn and to focus. Moreover, at the end of the program, he felt totally energized and happy with his new gained knowledge.
Back in Montreal, Tony continues to teach and to transmit his knowledge to his students.
14th Montreal International Dragon Boat Race Festival
Date: July 25 & 26, 2009
The 14th edition of the Montreal International Dragon Boat Race Festival took place on July 25 and 26 at the Olympic Basin at Park Jean-Drapeau.
Close to 200 North American teams from 24 cities participated at this year's Montreal Dragon Boat Race which can be compared in importance to the Montreal Jazz Festival or the F1 Canadian Grand Prix. With over 60 million participants worldwide, Montreal's race is amongst the biggest and most important dragon boat event outside of China!
The Confucius Institute of Quebec provided live on-stage entertainment with combined tai-chi and dancing receiving great applause and praise from the audience such as: "Bravo Mesdames!" "Elles dansent joliment!" - "C'est magnifique et incroyable".
Thanks to the Institute, the Canadian team has been invited to participate in China and is presently preparing to depart in September.
The event was also supported by the City of Montreal and the Chinese Embassy.
2nd Traditional Wushu Championship in Quebec
Date: June 28, 2009
On June 28, the 2nd Traditional Wushu Championship in Quebec, a traditional martial arts competition, took place at the Centre Jean-Claude Malépart in Montreal.
With over 100 participants, fifteen teams from Quebec along with several teams from Ontario took part in the event.
Following the Opening Ceremony, a show took place featuring traditional Chinese dance performances such as the Dragon Dance and the Lion Dance as well as Tai-Chi with Swords, Kong-Fu with Knives and the children's Tai-chi, which proved to be very popular with the audience. Moreover, Jazz musicians accompanied all Tai chi events with western music.
The Wushu Competition featured high level competitors mastering several styles such as: Taiji Style; Mulan Quan; Bare hand Styles; Weapon routines and Dui Lian Style with Bare hand to Bare hand, Weapon to Weapon and Bare hand to Weapon. All events were covered by certified referees.
After the Championship the audience was treated with Chinese Dancing and Singing. During the Awards and Closing ceremonies, over 200 medals were given to the competitors with some of them receiving as many as two or three medals!
Last but not least, we cannot forget the volunteer team, from the Jia Hua School, whose hard work and effort made it all happen.
With competitors ranging in age from 5 to 76 and with 45% of the participants being of non-Chinese origin we hope that an event like this will encourage more people to participate in martial arts.
Date: May 1st, 2009
Along with 900 American and Canadian delegates, Professor Yi Min and the CIQ Executive Director, Meng Rong, attended the joint CI & America's 2009 National Chinese Language Conference in Chicago.
The CI headquarters Director, Mrs. Xu Lin and the Deputy Director Mr. Zhao Guocheng as well as the Hanban team were also present at the conference.
The main topic discussed by the delegates was the CI survival throughout the present recession and how to progress in the future.
Date: April 27th, 2009
Besides offering language and culture courses, the CIQ holds a variety of enriching educational cultural activities within its Language and Culture Seminar Series.
Dr. Kwen Chiying, a Professor at the Hong Kong Educational Institute responsible for Elementary School Teacher's training, gave an enlightening Seminar on "Chinese teaching overseas" where she elaborated on her invaluable experience on How to teach Chinese writing to non-Chinese children.
Professor Yi Min presented a couple of captivating Seminars on the subject of "Clocks". The topics were: The Forbidden City and its Clocks: Western and Eastern culture exchange through Clocks as well as The Development and History of Chinese Characters. Professor Yi Min, is an expert on Chinese language and Chinese language history and exegetical studies. She explained the meaning of Chinese characters and how history and culture are reflected through them. After which, the fascinated audience requested for more Seminars on this topic.
After attending these Seminars, the CIQ audience was awarded with a Certificate of Attendance.
Date: April 10th, 2009
At present, the CIQ is offering for the 3rd time the Chinese as a second language (CSL) teachers training course, the only CSL class of its kind offered by a Confucius Institute, taught by Dr. Yi Min, a distinguished professor from Beijing Normal University.
So far, close to 80 people have obtained a joint Certificate in Teaching Chinese Language from the Confucius Institute in Quebec.
As part of their final examination, students are required to give a presentation, where they are asked to simulate a model class and are judged by the teacher as well as by their fellow students. What makes it interesting is that students are free to choose the topic of presentation.
Amongst these students, a law degree holding student chose the topic related to matrimonial law. Another student spoke about China's colorful Yunnan province highlighting its uniqueness when it comes to climate, culture, ethnicity, and language.
The topic of Bamboo culture was preferred by another student who elaborated on its diverse and extraordinary meaning within Chinese culture and explained that Bamboo can be found in the arts, language, music, poetry, gardening, and history with an array of meanings such as strong, flexible, modest, and beautiful.
At the end, the professor Yi Min was happy to see the result of student's hard work. She was also impressed by the quality of the presentations.
Date: February 8th, 2009
For the second year in a row, on February 4, with the assistance of the CIQ and Wang Li, a volunteer Chinese teacher, College Bourget, located in Rigaud, celebrated, with a series of colorful educational and cultural activities, the Chinese New Year, marking the beginning of Year of the Ox.
Entertainment was provided by various teachers and artists such Qi Shen who gave an Erhu (Chinese violin) recital. Qi Shen is a famous Chinese Erhu player, considered to be the best in her field in Canada, and a regular Erhu lecturer at Concordia and Vermont Universities. Later on, she was accompanied by one of her students Guo Youbei who played a special instrument from Vietnam .
Tony Liang, a University of China, Wushu champion along with Hanqing Shui, from a famous family of Tai-chi masters, staged a dynamic Wushu (martial arts) demonstration.
Tingting Gu a well-known Chinese dance teacher performed a Tai dance using an umbrella.
Teachers also took part in the celebration's activities; Zoe Rong a Chinese calligraphy teacher, gave an enlightening calligraphy demonstration.
At the end the event, Wang Li, the volunteer Chinese teacher from Beijing Normal University dispatched by Hanban, the CI headquarters in Beijing, recited, along with her students, a classical poem and sang "Happy New Year" in Chinese!
Date: January 31st, 2009
On January 31, Oriented Towards the Sound IV, a multi-cultural event celebrating the Year of the Ox, took place at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall, Concordia University. The CIQ collaborated and assisted with the concert's organization and presentation which featured dance, music, and visual arts from China and other East Asian cultures. Dr. Judith Woodsworth, the President of Concordia University was amongst the concert's attendees.
Butterfly by the River , a sound and visual blended delight, was performed by the Guzheng Ensemble of Montreal (Meng-Jin Li, Ya-Wen Luo and Shui-Lin Guan) and by Guo-Hua Wang, the CI calligraphy teacher, who used the medium of video to interpret the song into calligraphy.
The second part of the program opened with a dazzling Taichi Sword work performed by Han-Qing Shui of the CI accompanied by the Guzheng Ensemble of Montreal (Meng-Jin Li, Ya-Wen Luo and Chih-Lin Chou) who played High Mountain Flowing Water.The program also included Japanese folk songs, Vietnamese drums and Philippine dance.
"The purpose of Oriented Towards the Sound concert series is to provide promising artists a performance environment to develop their music career, and to promote oriental music to more general public. Concerts are webcasted by Concordia University to make the event world-wide."
2nd Annual WUSHU Championship
The Confucius Institute of Quebec presents the 2nd Annual WUSHU Championship in Quebec - June 28th, 2009.
Meet these well-known Chinese writers
Les sens de la culture chinoise
Date: June 26th, 2008
Between June 20th and 22nd, the Confucius Institute, partnered with the association "le Festival de la culture chinoise de Montré" (FCCM), took China enthusiasts in Montreal on a sensory adventure. Supported by the City of Montreal, and the Montreal Chinese Cultural and Community Center (www.cccgm.org), this is the highest attended Chinese culture festival in Quebec.
The theme of our summer festival was "Les sens de la culture chinois (The Senses of Chinese Culture)" - an interactive exploration of Chinese culture and arts, designed to allow participants to engage with Chinese cultural traditions on a sensory level, through touch, sound, taste, sight and hearing. Through a series of experiential exhibitions set up at the Complex Desjardins, participants were able to fully engage with Montreal's Chinese community in original and exciting ways.
The Confucius Institute ran a number of booths, staffed by teachers and volunteers from our language program. Traditional Chinese arts were a focus of the event: a table devoted to the art of traditional paper cutting was overseen by Wang Hong Mei, while other students made and handed out free Zhonguo Jie (Chinese knots). Dai Jun and Liu Zhen discussed Chinese language textbooks and teaching methods. Dawson College Chinese Language graduate Françse Cloutier, alongside Zhuo Rong and Huang Wei, taught children and interested participants how to write traditional calligraphy.
Throughout the day, Zhang Xiong and Shui Han Qing performed Fan Tai Chi (a step by step martial art in which a sword is used) for an enthusiastic crowd. At the medicine center, surrounded by diagrams pinpointing stress points and traditional medical practices, including a display of acupuncture needles, Mr.Chen Zheng gave physical demonstrations to passer bys. Participants were also lucky enough to have the opportunity to play and learn about the history of Go chess with European champion and coach Guo Juan, who flew to Montreal from Holland to attend the event.
That night at the official opening reception, representatives from the city of Montreal, the Director General of Dawson College, Mr. Richard Filion, and President of Montreal's Chinese Cultural center Ms. Pierette Wong, and other members of the community gathered together to enjoy congratulations and cocktails. Guests were entertained by a number of artistic performances, including a lion dance.
Participants continued to fully immerse themselves in Chinese culture over the next few days. On the 21st, a daylong series of workshops with themes ranging from tea-tasting to the study of feng shui held at Dawson College. The 22nd was designated "Children's day," and the festival closed with an inspiring dance performance by a talented group of local children.
The Confucius Institute thanks all of the teachers and volunteers who helped to make this festival such a great success.
Aid and Relief Efforts for Sichuan Earthquake Survivors:
How to Help
Date: May 23rd, 2008
The Confucius Institute in Quebec offers our condolences to the victims, and their families, of last week’s earthquake in Sichuan. We applaud the brave efforts of rescue and relief workers, who have already saved thousands of lives.
With over 200,000 people injured and millions left homeless, many international aid organizations are raising funds for earthquake relief. On Thursday May 15th, Canadian Minister of International Cooperation Bev Oda said that the federal government will match individual donations made to Canadian aid groups working on disaster relief in China. Major organizations currently asking for donations include:
The Canadian Red Cross
http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=27348&tid=001
Oxfam Canada
http://www.oxfam.ca/what-we-do/emergencies/china-earthquake-2008
Médecins Sans Frontières
http://www.msf.ca/news/news-updates/2008/05/update-china-earthquake/
Unicef Canada
http://www.unicef.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx?at=2239
Closer to home, the Montreal Chinese Community United Centre Community and Cultural Centre (MCCUC), partnered with many local Chinese community groups, has set up the “China Sichuan Disaster Relief Fund.” They will be throwing a fundraising show on Saturday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the MCCUC Community and Cultural Centre, 1088 Clark Street, where they will accept donations. Tickets range from 15$ to 35$.
The MCCUC is accepting cheques made out to "Montreal Chinese Community Cultural Centre China Sichuan Disaster Relief Fund," or direct deposits. For more information, they can be reached at 514-788-8986.
Chinese Special Teaching Training Course
Since this April, the Confucius Institute in Quebec has been joined by new students for our Chinese as a second language (CSL) teachers training course. It is the only CSL class of its kind offered by a Confucius Institute. Upon graduating from the sixty hour program, which is required training for teaching Chinese as a second language in China, students will receive a joint Certificate in Teaching Chinese Language from the Confucius Institute in Quebec, Beijing Normal University, and Hanban (The Office of Chinese Language Council International).
Instructing this course is Professor Huang Guo Xing. Before moving to Quebec fifteen years ago, Professor Huang trained Chinese language teachers over 30 years in Beijing. At the Confucius Institute in Quebec, teacher training classes are made up of both Canadians already fluent in Mandarin and Chinese students, many of whom have previous teaching experience and have already obtained a B.A. or Master’s degree in their field. This allows for a highly advanced classroom setting. Classes are taught in the evening, as many students choose to pursue the certificate while working fulltime. Enrollment is limited to twenty students, which provides students with a personalized setting in which to discuss curriculum building and advanced pedagogic strategies.
The Confucius Institute in Quebec Enjoys Working with Visiting Chinese Professors.
Last week, Professor Zhang Juan Yong, a Chinese language professor currently teaching at Université de Montreal, graced students at the Confucius Institute in Quebec with a seminar on teaching Chinese grammar to non-Chinese students. She is teaching in Canada through Hanban (The Office of Chinese Language Council International), along with several other visiting professors.
Volunteer Hanban teachers Wang Li and Tang Yu have, through the Confucius Institute, been teaching Mandarin at College Bourget and at College de Montreal, two of the city’s preeminent francophone private schools. Both teachers are coming to the Institute to guest lecture students who are learning to teach Chinese as a second language.
The Confucius Institute in Quebec looks forward to a dynamic upcoming semester. With the assistance of Hanban, we have invited Professor Yi Min, a specialist in Chinese language and literature at Beijing Normal University, to teach in Montreal for the upcoming year. Professor Yi has received glowing praise and highly positive feedback from former students, and will be a great asset to our language and culture program.
The Confucius Institute in Quebec attends the Confucius Institute in Edmonton’s Grand Opening.
Celebrations for the formal opening of the Confucius Institute in Edmonton, under Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) took place last weekend in Vancouver. The Confucius Institute in Edmonton was established in collaboration with the Shangdong Education Commission and the Communication University of China.
Attendees included Madam Xu Ling, Hanban’s Director General, and Dr. Xu Jialu, former Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Tenth People’s Congress (NCP) and one of the key architects of the Confucius Institutes’ mandate. Directors from five of Canada’s Confucius Institutes, including our own Director, Meng Rong, found time to discuss the inner workings of and relationships between their programs.
This is the first Confucius Institute to be established under a public school board in Canada. The EPSB has a long and established tradition of international linguistic and cultural ties to China and Chinese-Albertan heritage. Their Chinese program has had an active curriculum for the past 26 years, and emphasizes language and culture… even including a mathematics course taught in Chinese.
The Confucius Institute of Quebec welcomes the Confucius Institute in Edmonton, and looks forward to a long and supportive relationship with this exciting new associate.
Quebec families celebrate Chinese New Year
Date: Feb 9th 2008
Confucius Institute Director, Meng Rong, and Dean of Program Services and International Development, Don Walker took part in the New Year’s celebration organized by the Festival de la Culture Chinoise de Montréal, and the Association des Familles Quebec-Asie.
The AFQA supports local families with adopted children from Asia. About 300 such families were present at the Celebration for the Year of the Rat, which took place February 7th at Montreal’s Chinese Cultural Center. The event was a chance for the families to celebrate their link with Chinese culture and for the children to experience their Chinese roots. They enjoyed a beautiful evening of food, games, cultural performances, and more.
Professor Han Qiang Shui, who teaches Tai Chi at the Confucius Institute in Quebec, took part in the lineup of cultural performances for the occasion. The evening also involved a variety of traditional Chinese children’s games, including Hong deng lu deng (red light green light), Da xi gua xiao xi gua (big watermelon, little watermelon), Ji gu chan hua (beat the drum, pass the flower), and a retelling of the fable of the Nian. Legend has it that this monster emerges around the time of Chinese New Year. The traditions of decorating in red, setting off fireworks, and performing the lion dance during the New Year’s celebrations were originally designed to scare the beast away.
Dawson Celebrates Chinese New Year!
Date: Feb 8th 2008
Festive Chinese lanterns hung from the ceiling of Conrod’s on February 7th, and the walls were draped with banners reading “Happy New Year!” Early in the afternoon, the sound of drums drew curious Dawson students into the space, where a Chinese New Years celebration was in full swing.
Confucius Institute professor Tao Liang wowed the gathering crowd with his skills in Shaolin, an ancient form of Chinese martial art, and Professor Han Qiang Shui did a presentation of Tai Chi techniques. There was also a performance of traditional Chinese national dance by Gu Tingting. Chen Zheng, who teaches Chinese Medicine at Dawson College, demonstrated the Hao Mai method of diagnosis based on reading the pulse. Dick Chen, who offers a course in Chinese calligraphy through the Confucius Institute at Dawson College, also took part in the New Year’s celebration. Dawson students lined up to place special requests for the characters depicting love, peace, happiness, and determination.
The Confucius Institute in Quebec organized the event and was joined by Dawson College’s Chinese Student Association for the celebration. Dawson Student Affairs representative, Mary Di Liello, said that this was the first time that the college had hosted activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
The New Year is the most important traditional Chinese holiday. New Year festivities traditionally begin on the first day of the lunar calendar and end 14 days later with the Lantern Festival. Chinese New Year occurs on a new moon, typically between January 21st and February 20th. February 7th marked the beginning of the year of the Rat. This zodiac symbol is associated with hard work, charm and wealth.
Confucius Institute Teachers Celebrate Chinese Culture with Local School Kids
Date: Feb 6th, 2008
The Confucius Institute in Quebec helped students at College Bourget celebrate the school’s Chinese Culture Day last February 5th.
College Bourget, a private school located in Rigaud, has a special agreement with China’s Office of Chinese Language Council International. This year they welcomed a volunteer Chinese teacher, Wang Li, a graduate student from a Chinese university who helped organize the Chinese Culture Day celebrations.
Three teachers sent by the Confucius Institute in Quebec entertained the elementary and high school students with demonstrations of Shaolin martial arts, Tai Chi, and Chinese calligraphy. Zoe Rong, Tao Liang, and Han Qiang Shui all offer courses at the Confucius Institute at Dawson College.
The College Bourget students were welcoming and showed a strong interest in Chinese culture. Many of them had taken extra-curricular Chinese language courses offered at the school by Ms. Wang. The students applauded the performances and were eager to challenge the Confucius Institute teachers to a ping pong match after the show.
Dawson College attends the Confucius Institute Conference in Beijing
Date: December 20th 2007
Three delegates from Dawson College traveled to Beijing to attend the Confucius Institute Conference, hosted by Hanban, the Office of Chinese Language Council International. The conference took place December 11th-13th and brought together delegates from 180 Confucius Institutes in 64 countries. Representing the Confucius Institute in Quebec were Dawson College’s Director General, Richard Filion; Dean of Program Services and International Development, Don Walker; and Director of the Confucius Institute at Dawson College, Meng Rong.
Conference workshops promoted communication among the various Confucius Institutes around the world, allowing them to learn from each other’s experience, share resources, and discuss common challenges such as maintaining strong relationships with partner institutes in China. Some conference sessions were held at the Great Hall of the People, which borders Tiananmen Square and serves as China’s main parliament building.
The Dawson College delegates also took advantage of the visit to Beijing to share a meal with their partners at Beijing Normal University. The Chinese partner university offered to support the Confucius Institute in Quebec with teaching resources and to send professors to Quebec to teach graduate-level in the future. While in China, they also visited Shanghai to reacquaint themselves with potential partner institutions in that city, such as the Shanghai Normal University, East China Normal University and Shanghai College of Science and Technology.
The Confucius Institute in Quebec helps local Athletes Prepare for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Date: December 5th, 2007
The Confucius Institute in Quebec is helping local athletes and their friends and families, get ready to travel to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing next August. Confucius Institute staff prepared a presentation about China for about 40 members of Canada’s Olympic team during the ‘En route vers Beijing’ training session organized by the Centre national multisport-Montreal.
To guide them during their stay in Beijing, the Confucius Institute in Quebec has also put together a handbook including an introduction to China and practical information about getting around, shopping, sightseeing and eating in Beijing.
Beijing is the capital city of China and one of the largest and most vibrant cities in the country. With a unique opportunity to visit Beijing, the athletes won’t want to miss seeing major attractions like the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square.
Furthermore, the handbook provides the Olympic team and their entourage with essential information about Chinese currency, climate and customs, as well as useful Chinese phrases. The Dos and Don’ts section offers simple tips for getting around safely and for meeting Chinese people.
The handbook is also available to the public in the Visiting China section of our website. Be sure to check it out if you are planning to travel to Beijing.
Dawson College and the University of Sherbrooke inaugurate the Confucius Institute in Quebec.
Date: October 4th, 2007
October 4th 2007 marked the inauguration of the Confucius Institute in Quebec, created in partnership with Dawson College, the University of Sherbrooke, and Beijing Normal University.
Jean Charest, the Premier of Quebec, and Lu Shumin, the Ambassador to Canada from the Peoples' Republic of China attended the opening ceremony and offered their congratulations and support to the Confucius Institute in Quebec. Dawson Director General Richard Filion, University of Sherbrooke Rector, Bruno-Marie Béchard, and Beijing Normal University President, Liu Changshen also spoke during the inauguration which took place in Dawson’s new theatre.
Over one hundred special guests from politics, education and the Chinese community were also present. The unveiling of the Confucius Institute plaque was followed by performances by local Chinese musicians and dancers.
The Confucius Institute in Quebec aims to establish new academic, scientific and cultural links between Canada and China. Dawson College and the University of Sherbrooke join a network of over 150 Confucius Institutes that work to promote the integration of Chinese language and culture around the world.
Read Mr. Filion's inauguration speech online
For more information, please contact us at:
 |
 |
| confuciusinstitute@dawsoncollege.qc.ca | |
| 3040 Sherbrooke St. W. Suite 2G.1-A Montreal Quebec H3Z 1A4 Canada 1 (514) 933 - 0047 |
2500 University Blvd. Sherbrooke Quebec J1K 2R1 Canada 1 (800) 267 - 8337 ext. 65491 |
All contents Copyright 2007 © Confucius Institute in Quebec