In November last year, a unique English Corner event themed "English Corner: Chinese Cuisine" was held with great enthusiasm in Classroom 615 of the School of Economics and Management Building at Shungeng Campus, University of Jinan.
Organized elaborately by the Shungeng Branch of the University of Jinan International Exchange Association, this activity aimed to further promote Sino-foreign cross-cultural communication and deepen interaction and mutual understanding between teachers and students through the sharing and tasting of traditional Chinese cuisine. Teachers DiDi and Nancy from Glasgow Caledonian University, a partner institution in the UK, together with teachers and students from the East Campus of University of Jinan, participated in this feast of food and culture.
In the tide of globalization, China’s influence is growing steadily. Gaining an understanding of the Chinese language, culture and society has become a vital part of international communication. As an important platform for cultural exchange on campus, the English Corner under the University of Jinan International Exchange Association has long been committed to enhancing students’ English language proficiency while broadening their international horizons and fostering their understanding and respect for diverse cultures. This English Corner event, in particular, integrated food with culture in-depth, enabling participants to experience the charm of Chinese culture while savoring delicious dishes.
At the event venue, students had meticulously prepared an array of traditional and region-specific Chinese specialties. Ranging from the crispy-skinned and tender-fleshed Beijing Roast Duck to dumplings that symbolize family reunion, from the succulent yet non-greasy Jinan Braised Pork to the Qishan Minced Pork Noodle Soup of Shaanxi Province, each dish embodied the profound heritage of Chinese culinary culture. Special delicacies including tuna rice bowl, seafood dough drop soup and Hui-style beef soup, together with pastries such as the rice-and-cake assortments from the Jiangnan region and the time-honored pastries from Daoxiangcun of old Beijing, further demonstrated the richness, diversity and innovativeness of Chinese culinary culture. In addition, the inclusion of popular Chinese snacks like spicy strips and konjac jelly injected extra fun into the event.
During the "Food Description" session, students took turns introducing the food they had brought to the foreign teachers in English. This not only offered them a valuable opportunity to practice their oral English skills, but also deepened their comprehension of Chinese culinary culture. While sampling the food, the foreign teachers shared their perspectives and experiences regarding Chinese cuisine. Teacher DiDi heaped enthusiastic praise on the exquisite taste of Beijing Roast Duck, and Teacher Nancy expressed profound admiration for the delicate craftsmanship of Chinese pastries. Furthermore, the foreign teachers gained knowledge about some interesting Chinese dietary customs, such as the traditional etiquette of "not speaking while eating or sleeping" and the cultural connotations of specific foods served during festivals.
To render the activity more lively and engaging, the association also arranged an interactive food-sharing segment. Students and foreign teachers sat around together, tasting and sharing food with one another, and exchanging their respective experiences and impressions of Chinese cuisine. In a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, students not only improved their oral English proficiency, but also enhanced their understanding of Chinese culture through in-depth conversations with the foreign teachers. The discussions covered a wide spectrum of topics including the cooking techniques, ingredient sources and historical backgrounds of Chinese dishes, which significantly enriched the students’ cultural horizons.
The successful staging of this activity has not only deepened the friendship and mutual understanding between Chinese and foreign faculty members and students, but also laid a solid foundation for more similar cross-cultural communication events in the future. The University of Jinan International Exchange Association stated that it will continue to organize a series of cultural activities to further promote the exchange and integration of Chinese and foreign cultures, and provide students with a diversified platform for learning and communication. The association holds the belief that language learning is not merely about the mastery of vocabulary and grammar, but more importantly, about the understanding and acceptance of different cultures. Through such forms of cultural exchange, students’ curiosity about the world can be stimulated, encouraging them to explore diverse cultures, languages and ideologies.
The resounding success of this activity has fully verified that cross-cultural communication on campus is not confined to theoretical learning in classrooms; instead, it can foster a more profound perception and understanding through practical interaction and experiential learning. The University of Jinan International Exchange Association will continue to dedicate itself to providing students with a diversified communication platform, so as to promote cultural diversity and enrichment, facilitate the all-round development of students, and contribute to cultivating talents equipped with international perspectives and cross-cultural communication capabilities.
