UWC Confucius Institute Participates in Regional Seminar to Promote Chinese Language Education

On June 11, 2025, the Confucius Institute at the University of the Western Cape (CI at UWC) was invited to participate in the Western Cape Confucius Institute’s Teaching Seminar, held at the Seven Sisters Winery. Hosted by the Confucius Institute at Stellenbosch University, the event brought together all faculty members from the four Confucius Institutes in the region to explore the development and innovation of international Chinese language education.

Institute directors in attendance unanimously emphasized the importance of deepening collaboration and communication among Confucius Institutes. Dr. Wu Changhong, the Co-director of CI at UWC, noted in her opening remarks: "While maintaining the unique characteristics of each institute, we should enhance resource sharing to form a collective force for development." Prof. Sun Haofeng, the Co-director of CI at UWC, further elaborated: "Healthy competition can serve as a catalyst, but close cooperation and mutual learning are the fundamental drivers for rooting Chinese language education in the Western Cape."

The thematic sharing session featured many highlights. Dr. Yuan Yuhan from CI at UWC delivered a talk titled "Heart to Heart," in which she shared how emotional connection can foster students' autonomous learning abilities, achieving the teaching goal of "teaching them how to fish". Ms. Chen Lianxiang, through vivid examples of cultural practice, demonstrated how "discovering students’ shining points" can effectively stimulate intrinsic motivation for learning.

This seminar not only showcased our institute’s achievements in Chinese teaching and cultural promotion but also provided valuable insights from fellow Confucius Institutes. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen communication and collaboration with other institutes, working together to promote the flourishing development of Chinese language education in the Western Cape.