Written by Zhang Xiaoyu

On November 26, 2015, "Multicultural Night" was held as scheduled at Liverpool Street school. The Chinese director Li Minhong, Chinese language teacher Zhang Xiaoyu and volunteer teacher Cao Xi of CINB attended the event. This is the second time for CINB to spread Chinese culture at this school while the first time dates back to 2013 "Multicultural Night" of Liverpool Street school. At that time and before, there was no Chinese class being offered there. And at the end of that event, the Vice Principal Mr. Wiggins thanked CINB for their attendance, and expressed the thought of starting Chinese culture teaching at their school. With a joint effort of CINB, AEI and the local education department, this desire has realized in two years. In September 2015, after finishing her teaching job for the promotion of Chinese language and Chinese culture in Miramichi, CINB Chinese language teacher Zhang Xiaoyu began her new challenge in Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick. She has teaching tasks at two schools ---Bliss Carman middle school and Liverpool Street school, so to some degree, this cultural night marked the first real cooperation of CINB and Liverpool Street school. 

2015 Liverpool Street school’s "Multicultural Night" is divided into two parts, culture exhibition and cultural talent show. Participating groups come from all over the world, India, Israel, China, Vietnam, Russia, Lebanon, Libya, Jordan, Arab, etc., with miscellaneous handicrafts, food and fantastic performances, which accord with the theme of "multicultural integration". Among them, Chinese culture booth had gained much attention, and many students came to try writing Chinese characters with the brush under the direction of the Chinese teachers, experiencing the art of Chinese calligraphy. Many parents and other participating groups stood by the Chinese culture booth, discussing the Chinese culture with teachers of CINB, and creating a joyous atmosphere.

The small climax came when students sang the Chinese song "where is my friend" under the guidance of Mrs. Zhang Xiaoyu, which won a lot of praises and burst of applause from the audience. Because that very day was America’s Thanksgiving Day, students began to invite their parents and teachers to join the song together, shaking hands with each other, hugging and saying thanks to each other. Almost everyone picked up their phone, camera and video to take pictures of this memorable moment. 

Even after the event was over, there are still many parents and children lingering around the Chinese booth. Mr. Peter Wiggins expressed his heartfelt thanks again, gave a high praise to Mrs. Zhang’s Chinese teaching at this school, and further expressed that they would provide more supports for Chinese teaching and Chinese culture promotion.

Read more ...