Consul General of Chinese accorded his support to the development; “…your school is well under way of starting a student exchange program with a key high school in Yunnan Province, China. I fully support this program”, he said when he delivered his speech as Chief Guest at SXCS’ Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony.

Never before has any Chinese school entered into such a programme with any school in India. The interest in India in China and in China in India is growing; this 2-way traffic will lead to greater understanding of each other and enhance the ties between the two peoples and countries.

Consul General delivers his speech

A glimpse of the VIPs & Audience

Principal, The School,
introduces Consul General

Fr Sebastian & young Xaverians bid adieu to CG

On July 16th, over 100 persons from the School of Chinese Language, Kolkata, St. Xavier Collegiate School and local Chinese community gathered at Saturday Club to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the School of Chinese Language in Kolkata. Mr.&Mrs. Consul General Zhang Lizhong and the diplomats from Chinese Consulate General were invited to the event.

In his speech, Consul General Zhang Lizhong congratulated the fourth anniversary of the School of Chinese Language and expressed his appreciation to the efforts made by the School for enhancing the mutual understanding between the peoples of China and India and promoting the educational exchanges between the two countries. Consul General expected to see more Indian educational organizations to be involved in Mandarin teaching and to let more Indians understand Chinese culture. He wished more local people be able to learn and know Chinese language and Chinese culture. He is looking forward to introducing more excellent Chinese teachers from Hanban to eastern India. Chinese Consulate General will continue to provide help within its capability.

The Principal of the School of Chinese Language – Mr.MadanSaraff thanked Chinese Consulate General's support to the School and recalled the encouragement by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the cultural exchange activities between China and India. He was pleasant at the steadily increasing interests of local students to learn Mandarin and Chinese culture. The School of Chinese Language would add one more micro-drop of understanding in the ocean of friendship that lies between the peoples of China and India.

After the speech, the students from the School of Chinese Language presented wonderful performance. Chinese songs, Chinese painting & calligraphy and the mini play of a Chinese classic love story - "The Butterfly Lovers" or "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai" deeply impressed the audience and won big applause.

The Vice President of Kunming Medical University - Mdm. Li Yan attended the celebration and offered the School Chinese-English dictionaries and books as gifts.

The School of Chinese Language in Kolkata found a wonderful way to pay tribute to the aspirations of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Premier Wen Jiabao who have termed 2011 as the Year of Exchange between India & China.

The story started in 2008 when Madan Saraff, Principal of the then newly established The School of Chinese Language (TSCL), started efforts up to meet Principal, St Xavier’s Collegiate School.

Saraff’s labour of love was rewarded, when, in April, 2010, Principal and Vice-Principal of SXCS agreed to the idea of bringing the youth of India closer to the youth of China and requested Saraff to proceed with the mission.

With the help of his friends, Lu Yuan & Sam Mitchell of YNCCLD (Yunnan Centre for Cultural Learning & Development, Kunming), Madan Saraff began interactions with the best high school in Yunnan, Shida Fuzhong, Kunming. On May 28, 2010, an agreement was signed by Fr. Jerome Francis & Fr Sebastian James of SXCS & Shida Fuzhong with TSCL & YNCCLD being a proud part of the proceedings.

In the meantime, in July, 2010, group of 7 Students and 1 Teacher from Kunming Medical University arrived in Kolkata in support of the arrangement between KMU & The School of Chinese Language. Each member lived with family of Students of The School and came to know India, its people and culture closely.

On May 19, 2011, 10 Students of SXCS accompanied by Principal, Vice-Principal and Teacher flew on India’s maiden voyage to cement people-to-people relations between India & China. Each and every Student becomes a part of the family of his Chinese counterpart, staying with the Chinese Student’s family. Undoubtedly, this was the 1st such Student Exchange Program between 2 high schools where participants lived in the homes of the host Students.

The group came back with fond and startling memories and experiences:

……I am missing the school now. My host brother was very helful, he used to translate everything to me so patiently, it was truly a wonderful experience for me.

…..I was really impressed by the way they treated us. When we were introduced to our host brothers, Xia Shao Qin my host brother came to me and hugged me before i could. Even though his mother could not speak English, i could still converse with her thanks to the Mandarin classes (in The School of Chinese Language). It really did help.

…..I came know a lot about chinese culture. The food there was fabulous and the people very warm and helpful.

…..The family with whom i was staying were really hospitable & my classmates in shida fuzong were really friendly

…..In my opinion this project has turned out to be one of the most sought after and excellent projects so far undertaken. This is because of the huge scope to interact with the new classmates and making new friends, learn their culture and also to give them a feeling of our rich heritage!!

…..The gaining pattern was extraordinary on both sides on the line, both the Chinese students and we shared a lot mutually through our behavior and communication. In fact the amount of Chinese that we learnt (in The School of Chinese Language) in a mere one and half months came very very handy and everyone there was impressed at our well pronunciation…

Meantime, on June 01, 2011, a group of 6 Students & Vice-Principal left for Kunming as home guests of Kunming Medical University; they lived with KMU families and related their wonderful close encounters when they returned on June 08:

….benefited by this visit because I had the opportunity to speak chinese and learn various things about the culture of China. The Kunming Medical University gave us warm hospitality..

…..Everything we learn and talk of in the class come alive for us. China is a wonderful land and I feel privileged to have had such close glimpse of what it stands for. My host family was warm and welcoming and made me feel very much at home. I feel I had a good experience of traditional and modern China.

…fruitful one. I feel that this kind of programme will bring the people of two countries together… harmonious and friendly development between India and China. This tour also helped me to improve my spoken ability and enrich my chinese vocabulary

….help not only in understanding the language but also to understand the chinise culture, people, food etc. According to my opinion these kind of exchange prg. will encourage the students to develop good relation between China and India as well.

Students learn Chinese language

H. Shrithula has a useful analogy for those who think that learning Chinese is difficult: “Chinese is similar to Tamil. If you know Tamil, it’s easy to learn Chinese.”

The ArshaVidyaMandir student started learning Chinese to gain an insight into the culture of that country, a glimpse of which she has already had.

The 15-year-old recalls her visit to China during the 2008 Olympics: “When we had to go to a particular place in Beijing, we could not communicate at all.”

She hopes learning a language which is spoken by very few Indians will give her a head start over her peers.

“Students hear about slowdown in the U.S. and stagnation in Europe, and at the same time about Chinese economy growing. They see a lot of Chinese products around them. So they want to learn Chinese,” says N. Balakrishnan, director, Chinese Institute of Chennai.

The trend of college students learning Chinese is picking, he says.

“This trend will only get stronger. Students want to learn Chinese because it may benefit them in future,” says Sandip Dang, Director of In a Word, a foreign language school. Twenty-one-year-old Pratheek, a student of St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, wanted to learn a foreign language.

But why did he choose Chinese? “I wanted to set myself apart,” he says.

As the might of that country’s economy grows, says Pratheek, Chinese language will open whole new vistas for him. Foreign language institutes in the city say they are being increasingly approached by colleges interested in equipping their students with the knowledge of Chinese.

MalleswarUmaithurai, who is pursuing a postgraduate degree at the Chennai Business School, says his mentors at college advised him to learn Chinese as the language would enhance his employability.

“I want to explore job opportunities in China.”

IIT-Madras’ China Studies Centre started a two-level course in Chinese language for its students last year.

“By learning Chinese you are going to be in a very advantageous position,” says Sonika Gupta, Co-ordinator, IIT-M China Studies Centre.

A few fresh-out-of-school students are learning Chinese with the aim of having a strong grounding in the language before they go to China to pursue a medical degree, says Mr. Dang.

However, it is the entrepreneurs who continue to lead the trend of learning Chinese.

Their endeavours to learn the language are driven by an immediate interest in trade whereas young students look for long term benefits.

Earlier, the CBSE had planned to introduce Chinese in schools. It had to drop the idea as Indian teachers could not be trained in the language.

It is the entrepreneurs who continue to lead the trend of learning Chinese.

opinion

Mandarin: the language of the future

Since Chinese is the communicative language of approximately 15 per cent of the world's population, proficient speakers of Mandarin should be able to find jobs in such competitive fields as business management, sales marketing, government, information technology, international relations, tourism, education, translation, hospitality and public relations. Of all foreign languages offered at North American colleges and universities, demand for Chinese shows the highest proportional increase in enrolment.

The grammatical structure of Chinese is not only logical, but pragmatic, related to the particular way of philosophical and socio-cultural thinking. Although most linguists agree that Chinese is one of the most difficult to gain fluency and master, the following features may help facilitate basic level acquisition:

no subject/verb agreement
no noun plurals
no irregular verbs
no conjugations
no tenses
simple word order
simple conditional sentences
simple prepositions
simple numbering system
simple dates and time expressions.

The Chinese writing system offers a long-term daunting challenge. There are thousands of characters or ideographs, but they are not phonics based, so must be memorised individually. Since many characters share the same sounds, four pitch tones are used to differentiate meanings. For example, first tone ma (mother), second tone ma (hemp), third tone ma (horse) and fourth tone ma (scold) are often confused by foreign tongues and untrained ears. In Chinese, stress and intonation contours must always obey the tonal constraints of the words chosen.

Spoken Mandarin, Cantonese and Taiwanese are mutually unintelligible, even though they are often called dialects. However, all Chinese languages are written more or less the same, so if you can read one, you can read them all. Multilingualism is an enriching beneficial experience and the innovative "4 in 1" self-access individualised IT learning package will help reinforce the basics in neighbouring languages and encourage cross-cultural perspectives, tolerant understanding and friendly multiversity.

Charles Frederickson

A Chinese language-based education is a fundamental element allowing Chinese people living abroad to maintain their national identity, the director of an office for overseas Chinese affairs said Saturday.

A Chinese language-based education also provides a spiritual link between overseas Chinese and their ancestral land, said Li Haifeng, director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council (OCAO), at a ceremony held Saturday to mark the inauguration of the new semester at the new campus of the Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College (CLCC) under the OCAO.

The official addressed the opening ceremony, which was attended by LuoHaocai, former vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

In his speech, Li spoke highly of the role of Chinese language-based schooling, saying that Chinese people living abroad refer to it as a "Root-keeping Project" or "Hope Project."

The OCAO has long regarded Chinese language-based schooling as basic and strategic work. It has an increased investment in the sector and taken many practical steps in textbook research and development, teacher training and the education of Chinese youth living overseas, and it has also given various kinds of assistance to Chinese language schools abroad, according to the official.

Zhou Feng, president of the CLCC, also spoke at the ceremony. He stressed that the CLCC is willing to cooperate with Chinese language-based educational institutions in all foreign countries and regions.

According to Zhou, in 2010, the college invested over 500 million yuan (79.3 million US dollars) to build the new campus, which covers 14.6 hectares and has a floor space of 68,353 square meters. It is designed to accommodate 2,000 students, he said.

After the Bard's visit to mainland China where his fame had spread by that time, the government of the country got his entire works translated in 24 volumes, MadanSaraf, a spokesperson at the pavilion, said.

The volumes, bound in green cover with golden stripes and having notes written by the Consul-General of China, was for public viewing as thousands thronged the stall put up by the School for Chinese Language.

"Regrettably books are only on display and would be sold only from the 2013 edition of the bookfair," Saraf said.

Chinese Consul-General Zhang Lizhong said during a visit to the stall that he supported efforts of The School of Chinese Language to try to foster understanding between the people of the two nations.

(Agencies)

KOLKATA, 6 FEB: The complete works of Rabindranath Tagore, translated into Mandarin by the Chinese government immediately after the poet's visit to the country in 1924, were displayed for the first time at the China pavilion in the recently-concluded Kolkata Book Fair.

After the bard's visit to mainland China where his fame had spread by the time, the government got his entire works translated in 24 volumes, Mr MadanSaraf, a spokesperson with the pavilion, said. The volumes, bound in green cover with golden stripes and having notes written by the consul general of China, were displayed for public viewing as thousands thronged the stall put up by The School of Chinese Language.

“Unfortunately, the books will be sold only from the 2013 edition of the Book Fair,” Mr Saraf said. Chinese consul general Zhang Lizhong said during a visit to the stall that he supported the efforts of The School of Chinese Language, that is trying to foster understanding between the people of the two nations. PTI

Filed under Arts &CultureKolkata: The complete works of Rabindranath Tagore, translated into Mandarin by the Chinese government immediately after the poet`s visit to the country in 1924, were displayed in the China pavilion for the first time in the recently concluded Kolkata Book fair.

After the Bard`s visit to mainland China where his fame had spread by that time, the government of the country got his entire works translated in 24 volumes, MadanSaraf, a spokesperson at the pavilion, told reporters.

The volumes, bound in green cover with golden stripes and having notes written by the Consul-General of China, was for public viewing as thousands thronged the stall put up by the School for Chinese Language. “Regrettably books are only on display and would be sold only from the 2013 edition of the bookfair,” Saraf said.

Chinese Consul-General Zhang Lizhong said during a visit to the stall that he supported efforts of The School of Chinese Language to try to foster understanding between the people of the two nations.

On Jan. 29th, Consul General Zhang Lizhong toured "36th International Kolkata Book Fair" and cut the ribbon at the inauguration ceremony of Chinese Pavilion, which is sponsored by the School of Chinese Language headed by Principal MadanSaraff.

On December 7 the vice head of Yunnan provincial department of education—Mr. Yang Gonghe and his group visited Kolkata by the invitation of St. Xavier Collegiate School and Kolkata Chinese Language School. A discussion was held by vice head of department Yang Gonghe, Principal of St. Xavier Collegiate School—Mr. K.K Devasy and the Principal of the Chinese Language School—Mr. Madan Saraff. The both exchanged suggestions about deepening the communication and cooperation between Yunnan province schools and education institutes in Kolkata. And the acting Consul General of China in Kolkata—Mr. Liu Zhijie also attended the meeting.

杨共和副厅长表示，近年来，云南与西孟邦的经济、文化交流越来越多，云南是中国西南对外开放的重要“桥头堡”，云南省政府十分重视“桥头堡”建设，在经济、文化、教育各方面提供政策、资金方面的支持，目前云南省已经与50多个国家和地区的教育机构开展了合作项目，圣泽维尔中学与云南师大附中的学生交流活动就是其中之一。云南省教育厅希望深化云南师大附中与圣泽维尔中学的兄弟学校关系，进一步开拓云南省高校与加尔各答高校之间的合作，增加彼此的了解、信任和友谊。

In his speech, Mr. Yang said that there are more and more economic and cultural communications between Yunnan province and the West Bengal. As we know, Yunnan is one of the important bridgeheads for opening up in southwest China; in recent years, provincial government’s emphasis on bridgehead construction, providing policy and financial supports on economy, culture, education and etc. Nowadays, Yunnan province has cooperation projects with the education institutes of more than 50 countries and regions, including the students exchange program between St. Xavier Collegiate School and Yunnan Shida Fuzhong. Yunnan provincial department of education hope can strengthen the brother’s relationship between Yunnan Shida Fuzhong and St. Xavier Collegiate School; meanwhile strengthen cooperation between schools of Yunnan province and Kolkata schools, increasing the understanding, trust and friendship.

圣泽维尔中学校长K• K•德瓦西说，圣泽维尔中学将西方教育制度与印度传统教育体制相结合，建立了自己独特的教育体系。圣泽维尔中学一直重视与其它国家学校的交流，希望与亚洲的兄弟学校开展更多交流与合作，其中最重要的就是与中国云南师大附中的学生交流计划。圣泽维尔中学十分高兴可以为促进中印两国青年学生之间的交往、从而增进两个伟大文明之间的了解作出自己的努力。

Principal of St. Xavier Collegiate School—Mr. K.K Devasy said, St. Xavier Collegiate School combined western education system with Indian traditional education system to build their unique education system. They value the communication with other countries’ school always, and develop more communication and cooperation with Asian schools. And now the most important is the program with the students of Yunnan Shida Fuzhong. St. Xavier Collegiate School said they would be very pleasure to do effort for promoting the communication between young students of China and India, then increase understand between the two great cultures.

随后，杨共和副厅长一行参观了圣泽维尔学院、圣泽维尔中学和圣泽维尔小学，与老师和学生们进行了交流与互动。

Then, Mr. Yang and the group visited the St. Xavier College, middle school and primary school, having communication and interaction with teachers and students.

加尔各答圣泽维尔中学与云南师大附中于2010年5月签订“学生交流协议”，定期开展学生交流活动。圣泽维尔中学第一批10名学生于2011年5月访问云南师大附中，云南师大附中8名学生于2011年11月进行了回访。

An agreement of communication for students signed by St. Xavier School and Yunan Shida Fuzhong, which said communication program will be held regular between two cities. The first group of 10 students from St. Xavier School had visited Yunnan Shida Fuzhong on May, 2011; meanwhile 8 students from Yunnan Shida Fuzhong had return visit on November, 2011.

访问结束后，杨共和副厅长拜访了驻加尔各答总领事张利忠。

After visiting, Mr. Yang visited the Consul General of China in Kolkata—Mr. Zhang Lizhong.

On November 19, the School of Chinese Language of Kolkata held “Chinese Corner” ("ChiniAdda" in Bengali) at the Spring Club. Altogether around 100 persons attended “Chinese Corner”, including the Principal of St. Xavier Collegiate School – Mr. K. K. Devasy, the Principal of the School of Chinese Language – Mr.MadanSaraff, the teachers and students from Yunnan ShidaFuzhong who were visiting India for the “Student Exchange Program” and all the officials of Chinese Consulate.

The theme of the “Chinese Corner” is “family”. Chinese and Indian students reviewed their experiences of living and studying in each other’s families and schools and discussed about their understanding of “family”. They agreed that China and India both have long histories and share similar family value. The two countries attach great importance to the stability and harmony of family and cherish the traditional oriental value, such as respecting the old and loving the young.

In his speech, the Acting Consul General of China in Kolkata – Mr. Liu Zhijie introduced Chinese traditional family value. He described the whole world as a big family, and as important members of this big family, China and India should live in peace, enhance exchanges and seek common development.

The Principal of St. Xavier Collegiate School – Mr. K. K. Devasy highlighted the success of the student exchange program between St. Xavier Collegiate School and Yunnan ShidaFuzhong. Students from the two schools lived in each other’s families and got acquainted with each other’s culture by spending time together. The friendship between the youths of the two countries is largely strengthened. He said that influenced by the western culture, the traditional idea of joint family has been gradually changed in India. More and more young people choose to live apart from their parents. However, in Indian society, family still comes first.

Representatives of Chinese and Indian students made their speeches afterwards. They talked about their experiences of living in each other’s families and sincerely thanked their “foreign parents” for their thoughtful kindness and love. They have established profound friendship with their fellow foreign students during the student exchange program. The Indian students who will take part in next year’s “Student Exchange Program” expressed their expectations about the future trip to China.

"Learning to write Chinese is like mastering complex drawings. My father does not know Chinese and that puts him on a back-foot in business," says Thakkar.

In Gujarat, good economics decides which language Gujaratis speak. As chief minister NarendraModi looks to China and far-east countries, including Japan, for investment, youngsters from the state are queuing up to learn Chinese and Japanese in big numbers. While private Chinese classes are running full batches for the first time, GujaratVidyapith has started its first-ever Japanese course, giving into its growing demand.

While China draws Gujarati businessmen for cheaper imports, interest in Japan has shot up after the Japanese started implementing the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, 40% of which passes through Gujarat. The tonal range of Chinese is such that many students have aching jaws if they speak the language for a couple of hours continuously but that has not been deterrence.

"The Chinese show immense respect if you speak their language," says Nilesh Dave, a senior marketing manager with a large corporate who recently went to China and immediately enrolled to learn the language after coming back.

LavanyaTrivedi, one of few teachers who can give lessons in both Chinese and Japanese, says she has personally coached over 70-odd people in recent times. "Almost all my students are either businessmen or hold senior positions in MNCs," says Trivedi.

"I got at least 30 queries for learning Japanese in the last couple of months after which we decided to start a course," says the head of the Indian languages and culture department at Gujarat Vidyapith, K KBhaskaran. Even the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) has given lessons in Chinese to 200 students and Japanese to 40-odd Amdavadis in the last one year.

Surat'sdiamantaires are mastering Chinese to acquire a share of the Chinese diamond polishing industry pie. "Two of our employees just learnt Chinese and work for the firm in China," says IshwarDholakia of Ram Krishna Exports, a diamond businessman.