Written by Tui Tuia Facilitator and CLEC Project Lead, Dr. Yan Yang
University of Auckland VC Professor Dawn Freshwater signing our TTLC MoU with CLEC Director Mr. Yu Yunfeng, witnessed by China’s Education Minister, Dr. Huai Jinpeng, and New Zealand’s Minister for Tertiary Education, Penny Simmonds.
The group photo includes CLEC Director-General Mr. Yu Yunfeng, Director Yuan Li, Programme Officer Wang Yizhou, Tui Tuia Director Yvonne Lim, Programme Director Perry Rush, Languages Programme Manager Stephanie Mortimore, and CLEC Project Lead Yan Yang.
On 13 June, Tui Tuia Learning Circle had the honor of hosting a distinguished delegation from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) of the Chinese Ministry of Education during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s official visit to Aotearoa New Zealand. This visit marked the first time a CLEC delegation has come to Tui Tuia, making it a significant milestone in our partnership. The delegation included CLEC Director-General Mr. Yu Yunfeng, Ms. Yuan Li (CLEC Director of the Division of American and Oceanian Affairs), and Mr. Wang Yizhou (CLEC Programme Officer).
During their visit, the delegation reviewed ongoing projects and explored new opportunities for collaboration with TTLC, further strengthening our partnership. The visit culminated on 14 June with the successful signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Tui Tuia Learning Circle and CLEC at the New Zealand-China High Level Education Forum. This milestone was witnessed by China’s Education Minister, Dr. Huai Jinpeng, and New Zealand’s Minister for Tertiary Education, Penny Simmonds. The signing, featuring University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater and CLEC Director Mr. Yu Yunfeng, highlighted the significance of this partnership.
The MoU represents a pivotal step in promoting Chinese language learning across New Zealand schools. As noted in the official announcement on the University of Auckland’s website, “A number of agreements were signed by the University and members of the delegation, including a Memorandum of Understanding with Tui Tuia Learning Circle, University of Auckland, and the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation to promote Chinese language learning in schools of New Zealand.”
We are excited about the opportunities this agreement will bring to our educational programmes and look forward to continuing our collaboration with CLEC to enhance Chinese language education in New Zealand.
Common Character Origins (常用汉字源流)
Written by Chinese National Language Adviser, Dr. Jiwei Fu
Chinese characters are distinct from English in that they form a unique writing system with their own characteristics.
The shape of Chinese characters is constructed by the meaning, they are ideographic, meaning that most early characters conveyed meaning through their shape. Common Character Origins focuses on the most frequently used Chinese characters, tracing their evolution from Oracle Bone Script, Bronze Script, and Small Seal Script, and referencing the explanations in the ancient book Shuowen Jiezi to explore the original meanings of these characters. Understanding the original meaning of a character can deepen our understanding of Chinese characters, help accurately explain the meanings to students in teaching, and enhance students' interest in learning Chinese characters and the language. Common Character Origins (常用汉字源流) is now available on our e-learning platform, Languages Learning Circle. You can access more detailed information by clicking this link. Here you will find a short explanation of various characters, their origins and a follow-up activity for each one.
Chinese Duanwu Festival Workshop: A Day of Fun, Culture, and Learning!
Written by Flora Tie, Chinese Teacher (Aidanfield Christian School)
From the left - Paula Kasper (Tui Tuia Learning Circle), Yea Young Lee (Hillmorton High School), Flora Tie (Aidanfield Christian School), Annie Shih (Community Chinese teacher), Fiona Yen (Tui Tuia Learning Circle), Terina Yee (Lincoln High School)
Saturday, June 8th, was an absolute blast at our Chinese Duanwu Festival Workshop! As a Chinese language teacher, you understand the importance of bringing language to life through cultural experiences, and this workshop did just that. It was a day brimming with learning, laughter, and hands-on activities that left everyone inspired and ready to share their new knowledge with their students.
The day began with an engaging introduction to the Duanwu Festival (Dragon Boat Festival). We kicked off with a fascinating YouTube video, followed by a lively presentation from our excellent speakers. They delved deep into the rich history and traditions of this beloved Chinese festival. The best part? Everyone got to make their own paper dragon boats! This creative activity had everyone smiling, laughing, and racing their colorful boats in friendly competition.
As we explored the Duanwu Festival, participants were struck by the similarities between this Chinese tradition and Māori culture. We discussed how both cultures celebrate with food and how central family and community are to these celebrations. It was an eye-opening experience that highlighted the deep connections between different cultures.
We didn’t stop there! The workshop also included a session on Māori flax weaving. Participants learned to weave a simple yet beautiful fish out of flax. This craft wasn’t just fun—it also helped us appreciate the artistry and cultural significance of flax weaving in Māori tradition. The connection between the two cultures was beautifully symbolized in this activity.
The energy throughout the day was electric. The speakers were passionate and knowledgeable, and their enthusiasm was infectious. They guided us through each activity with patience and a genuine love for cultural education, making the workshop truly special.
In summary, the Chinese Duanwu Festival Workshop was an incredible experience. It perfectly blended cultural education, hands-on learning, and lots of fun. If you're a Chinese language teacher looking to add more cultural context to your classroom, this workshop was absolutely worth attending. The interactive activities and inspiring speakers made it a day to remember—and one that will surely spark new ideas for your lessons!
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2024 - Chinese - Term 3 Newsletter Articles
CLEC Delegation Visits Tui Tuia Learning Circle
Written by Tui Tuia Facilitator and CLEC Project Lead, Dr. Yan Yang
University of Auckland VC Professor Dawn Freshwater signing our TTLC MoU with CLEC Director Mr. Yu Yunfeng, witnessed by China’s Education Minister, Dr. Huai Jinpeng, and New Zealand’s Minister for Tertiary Education, Penny Simmonds.
The group photo includes CLEC Director-General Mr. Yu Yunfeng, Director Yuan Li, Programme Officer Wang Yizhou, Tui Tuia Director Yvonne Lim, Programme Director Perry Rush, Languages Programme Manager Stephanie Mortimore, and CLEC Project Lead Yan Yang.
On 13 June, Tui Tuia Learning Circle had the honor of hosting a distinguished delegation from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) of the Chinese Ministry of Education during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s official visit to Aotearoa New Zealand. This visit marked the first time a CLEC delegation has come to Tui Tuia, making it a significant milestone in our partnership. The delegation included CLEC Director-General Mr. Yu Yunfeng, Ms. Yuan Li (CLEC Director of the Division of American and Oceanian Affairs), and Mr. Wang Yizhou (CLEC Programme Officer).
During their visit, the delegation reviewed ongoing projects and explored new opportunities for collaboration with TTLC, further strengthening our partnership. The visit culminated on 14 June with the successful signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Tui Tuia Learning Circle and CLEC at the New Zealand-China High Level Education Forum. This milestone was witnessed by China’s Education Minister, Dr. Huai Jinpeng, and New Zealand’s Minister for Tertiary Education, Penny Simmonds. The signing, featuring University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater and CLEC Director Mr. Yu Yunfeng, highlighted the significance of this partnership.
The MoU represents a pivotal step in promoting Chinese language learning across New Zealand schools. As noted in the official announcement on the University of Auckland’s website, “A number of agreements were signed by the University and members of the delegation, including a Memorandum of Understanding with Tui Tuia Learning Circle, University of Auckland, and the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation to promote Chinese language learning in schools of New Zealand.”
We are excited about the opportunities this agreement will bring to our educational programmes and look forward to continuing our collaboration with CLEC to enhance Chinese language education in New Zealand.
Common Character Origins (常用汉字源流)
Written by Chinese National Language Adviser, Dr. Jiwei Fu
Chinese characters are distinct from English in that they form a unique writing system with their own characteristics.
The shape of Chinese characters is constructed by the meaning, they are ideographic, meaning that most early characters conveyed meaning through their shape. Common Character Origins focuses on the most frequently used Chinese characters, tracing their evolution from Oracle Bone Script, Bronze Script, and Small Seal Script, and referencing the explanations in the ancient book Shuowen Jiezi to explore the original meanings of these characters. Understanding the original meaning of a character can deepen our understanding of Chinese characters, help accurately explain the meanings to students in teaching, and enhance students' interest in learning Chinese characters and the language. Common Character Origins (常用汉字源流) is now available on our e-learning platform, Languages Learning Circle. You can access more detailed information by clicking this link. Here you will find a short explanation of various characters, their origins and a follow-up activity for each one.
Chinese Duanwu Festival Workshop: A Day of Fun, Culture, and Learning!
Written by Flora Tie, Chinese Teacher (Aidanfield Christian School)
From the left - Paula Kasper (Tui Tuia Learning Circle), Yea Young Lee (Hillmorton High School), Flora Tie (Aidanfield Christian School), Annie Shih (Community Chinese teacher), Fiona Yen (Tui Tuia Learning Circle), Terina Yee (Lincoln High School)
Saturday, June 8th, was an absolute blast at our Chinese Duanwu Festival Workshop! As a Chinese language teacher, you understand the importance of bringing language to life through cultural experiences, and this workshop did just that. It was a day brimming with learning, laughter, and hands-on activities that left everyone inspired and ready to share their new knowledge with their students.
The day began with an engaging introduction to the Duanwu Festival (Dragon Boat Festival). We kicked off with a fascinating YouTube video, followed by a lively presentation from our excellent speakers. They delved deep into the rich history and traditions of this beloved Chinese festival. The best part? Everyone got to make their own paper dragon boats! This creative activity had everyone smiling, laughing, and racing their colorful boats in friendly competition.
As we explored the Duanwu Festival, participants were struck by the similarities between this Chinese tradition and Māori culture. We discussed how both cultures celebrate with food and how central family and community are to these celebrations. It was an eye-opening experience that highlighted the deep connections between different cultures.
We didn’t stop there! The workshop also included a session on Māori flax weaving. Participants learned to weave a simple yet beautiful fish out of flax. This craft wasn’t just fun—it also helped us appreciate the artistry and cultural significance of flax weaving in Māori tradition. The connection between the two cultures was beautifully symbolized in this activity.
The energy throughout the day was electric. The speakers were passionate and knowledgeable, and their enthusiasm was infectious. They guided us through each activity with patience and a genuine love for cultural education, making the workshop truly special.
In summary, the Chinese Duanwu Festival Workshop was an incredible experience. It perfectly blended cultural education, hands-on learning, and lots of fun. If you're a Chinese language teacher looking to add more cultural context to your classroom, this workshop was absolutely worth attending. The interactive activities and inspiring speakers made it a day to remember—and one that will surely spark new ideas for your lessons!
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