My Chinese Learning Experience with the Confucius Institute

I am here today to talk about my 4-year involvement with MSU CI-MV Chinese language program and how that impacted me and many others.

I took MSU Confucius Institute Michigan Virtual Classes for 3 years (level 3, 4, AP). In 8th and 9th grade, I was given the brilliant opportunity to participate in the Confucius Institute Michigan State University Open House and the Midwest Chinese Bridge High School Student Speech Contest (8th grade - 2nd place in level 1, 9th grade - 1st place in level 2).

MSU Confucius Institute Michigan Virtual Classes: (level 3, level 4, AP )

• Teachers reach out to you often and have quick communication

  • Teachers are very patient with computer issues you may have

  • Teachers welcomed inquiries from parents and were thorough in their responses and explanations

• Very approachable and encouraging

• Weekly lab sessions

This quick action to communicate and support created a very effective environment to learn virtually. The teachers are all very encouraging, so we all developed a positive mindset to accept and learn from mistakes, both big and small.

Confucius Institute Michigan State University Open House: (8th and 9th grade)

• Opportunity to speak Chinese outside of a class environment

• Was able to meet teachers and fellow students in person

• Opportunity to dabble in public speaking

• Learning culture through fun activities (quizzes with prizes, paper cutting, tea ceremony, calligraphy, etc...), Singing (the second year hosting the open house) = very scary to do, but was fun to dabble in Chinese music, was able to wear hanfu (traditional Chinese dress)

This is a huge learning opportunity for me both times I volunteered at the Confucius Institute or CI open house. I was able to take on new cultural interests and study based on what interested me, and I’m sure my peers did too.

Midwest Chinese Bridge High School Student Speech Contest: (8th and 9th grade)

I was able to study new areas: Chinese history, culture, grammar, speaking, and the talent show (where I did calligraphy). Not only did this competition allow me to push my boundaries in terms of Chinese knowledge, but I was also able to push my comfort zone and develop other skills.

Teachers supported me through the ENTIRE process. The night before the competition they stayed up till late at night to make final touches and during the breaks in between the final competitions, they quizzed me on the material that would show up in the competitions. I had amazing conversations with the teachers and I was very lucky to be able to compete alongside very fun and enthusiastic teachers!!

My Conclusion:

I don’t just think of this program as JUST a class. By volunteering at the open house and participating in the Chinese Speech competition, I was able to develop public speaking skills: not in my first language, not in my second language, but in my THIRD language. Through learning languages for 5 ~ 6 years now, you realize that passion is a huge up and down roller coaster, and MV classes taught me that long-term self-discipline is key to reaching my language goals. This CI program was an opportunity hub, not just to develop Chinese skills, but to develop other necessary life skills.

I’ve had a few notable achievements through the program, which have connected to bigger life-changing opportunities and achievements. Through taking the CI-MV classes, I was able to position myself to graduate high school a year early. I am currently a student taking a gap year through the US Department of State “National Security Language Initiative for Youth” scholarship program to study Chinese in Taiwan. Though the program is currently virtual, I will be heading over to Taiwan in December! I have also deferred my acceptance into Duke Kunshan University (DKU) and Duke University’s dual degree program, where I will pursue a degree in Global China Studies.

I would like to personally thank Michigan State University, the Confucius Institute, and all of the program administrators and instructors that have supported, encouraged and challenged me along this wonderful journey. I hope I was able to shed some light on how impactful this program has been to me and my future!