The 2024 UK Mandarin Excellence Programme Summer Camp kicked off last Sunday at Beijing Language and Culture University. The event was graced by esteemed guests from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, British Embassy in China, the UK Department for Education, and Beijing Language and Culture University.
This year, about 1,200 students from 61 participating UK schools of the MEP will immerse themselves in Chinese language learning and cultural experiences across 18 Chinese universities in 10 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Chengdu.
Initiated and sponsored by the UK Department for Education, the MEP aims to nurture outstanding Mandarin talents. Since its inception in 2016, the program has empowered over 11,000 pupils from 80 schools across England to achieve fluency in Mandarin.
As one of the MEP Intensive Study Summer Camp hosting universities, Beijing Language and Culture University has already host this activity for 6 years. This year, they welcome 101 students and teachers from five UK schools. “We designed task-oriented language lessons with classroom learning in the morning and practical application in the afternoon, to consolidate the teaching results and give students a sense of achievement. As for the cultural activities, we mainly highlight Beijing characteristics and landmarks, such as including the elements of Peking Opera, Olympic, the Great Wall, the National Museum, the Forbidden City and the Hutongs. All in all, we hope to consolidate mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and British youths, helping UK students to improve their Chinese language skills, learn about Beijing, and get to know China through their studies at BLCU.” Said by Ms. LU Yuzheng, Head of the China Visit Programs of the Practice and Research Center for International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Language and Culture University.
Best wishes to all the participants! May you discover the beauty of the Chinese language and culture during your journey, and become ambassadors fostering cultural exchange between China and the UK in the future!
