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U of M students shine at regional Chinese language competition
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL ( 4/9/2007 ) -- A team of students from the University of Minnesota Department of Asian languages and literatures won six gold and one silver medals at the College Student Chinese Speech Contest in the Midwest March 31 at Northwestern University. The event is sponsored by the China Consulate General's Education Section, and is co-sponsored by Northwestern University. There were 21 colleges and universities competing at the event, with 65 participants. "This testifies to the strength and efficiency of the Chinese program of the Department of Asian Languages and Literatures at the University of Minnesota," said department staff Elizabeth Yuanjing Xue. Ling Wang, professor and lead teacher of the U of M Chinese program and an affiliate member of the graduate faculty, was also pleased with the achievements of her three first-year Chinese language students: Alaya Lee, Molly Tolzmann, Ryan Loomis; second-year students, Casey Kerian and Andrew Kruse, and third-year student Andrew Ramdular. "Every one of our contestants won and Minnesota won," Wang said. To emphasize the growing popularity of Chinese language at the University of Minnesota, Wang said that 262 students enrolled for fall semester 2006, compared to only 109 students in 2001. "Promoting good teaching and good learning is our high priority," said Wang. "We believe that the quality of teaching predicates the quality of learning just as the quality of learning greatly determines the credibility of the teaching group and the program." The Midwest competition is a screening contest for the Chinese Bridge Speech Contest to be held this summer in Beijing. This year, two contestants will be selected from the winners for the big contest in Beijing around the time of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. "Nothing can give you more insight into a culture than its language," said Kerian, one of the participants. "I have found, by studying Chinese, one is not only learning a foreign language, but is also given a valuable perspective on its people and history." Kerian has always been fascinated with Chinese history and feels it is very important for China and the United States to establish good cultural and political understanding. He pursued language and culture study and would like to see more Americans learn and create a better east-west understanding. "I am confident that anyone who learns Chinese will find worlds of opportunity and will be sure to have a rewarding future," he said. "To me, studying Chinese is not simply an academic measure; it's become a big part of my life now. The opportunities are endless and the intercultural exchange is tremendous. Chinese has impacted my life immensely and I know it will continue to do so." ---------- |
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