In a celebration of language, culture, and the remarkable abilities of young minds, Meadowbank School and Cornwall Park District School recently hosted their respective Chinese speech competitions. These events served as a testament to the dedication of students and educators in promoting multilingualism and fostering international connections. CI in Auckland was invited to be judges and to witness the talents and passion of the young participants.

Students embraced the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas on a wide array of topics, ranging from environmental conservation, with speeches on how to protect our planet, to heart-warming descriptions about their beloved pets. All the participants delivered their speeches with remarkable fluency, eloquence, and confidence.

CI in Auckland was pleased to support the speech competitions in local schools. Professor Zhang, the deputy director of CI, expressed her admiration for the students, saying, “It’s truly inspiring to see these young learners’ efforts in second language learning. From them, I see the meaning of language as a bridge connecting cultures.”

The Institute looks forward to more schools participating in future competitions.

For the first time, HSK 7-9 test will be held in New Zealand on November 12, 2023. There will be the only HSK test for Bands 7-9 of the advanced level in 2023.The organiser of HSK 7-9 test is the Confucius Institute in Auckland.

In 2023, HSK 7-9 test only has one format – internet-based. All test participants are required to have their own computer (with Windows system) and other related equipment such as headset in order to meet the online test requirements (See “Current Event” page for details).

The fee for the exam is $220 (NZD). Registration has now been open, and will be closed at 30th Oct 2023. For information regarding the eligibility, test content and structure, please visit here.

For those who are interested. please do not hesitate to contact us at exam@ci.ac.nz

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The first CTCSOL interview test for the year was successfully held on the first and second weekends of July. We set up five online test rooms, and over 50 candidates participated in the one-on-one interviews. The number of registrations has remained steady compared to the same period last year, with a slight increase.

The interview is conducted by a panel of examiners for candidates who have passed the written test. It focuses on assessing the candidates’ ability to design teaching plans using various methods, organize and implement teaching processes, fulfil teaching tasks, and communicate and assist in teaching in English language. Additionally, it evaluates candidates’ communication skills, psychological qualities, teaching strategies, and other essential professional qualities. We are delighted to see an increasing interest in learning Chinese and understanding Chinese culture in the Oceania region, with more and more people aspiring to become qualified Chinese teachers. Congrats to all the candidates who sit in the exam, and best wishes for achieving excellent results!

“Chinese is so challenging yet undeniably fun to learn,” said one of the students. This was a common feeling shared throughout the 16th “Chinese Bridge” Speech Competition Prize-giving Ceremony hosted by the Confucius Institute in Auckland on 24 June. Approximately 65 guests, including Consul General Chen Shijie, CI in Auckland Advisory Board members Patrick English and Danny Chan, and sponsor, BNZ’s Head of Asia Business, Franky Wang, together with winners, their parents and teachers gathered at the University of Auckland to celebrate the achievements of students who had participated in this year’s competition.

The ceremony commenced with signature speeches from key speakers, each shedding light on the significance of language learning and cultural diversity. Consul General Chen Shijie addressed the audience, commending the enthusiastic participation of students from the Auckland region and emphasised the importance of learning the Chinese language in fostering cultural understanding and strengthening ties between New Zealand and China.

Patrick English, shared his personal journey of learning Chinese as a second language. He highlighted how this experience had contributed not only to his personal growth but also to his career development. “Studying other languages helps New Zealanders to go out and benefits the growth of this country economically and culturally. Chinese is one of those other critically important languages,” said Pat.

Franky Wang, expressed pride in sponsoring the annual event for the last few years and emphasised BNZ’s commitment to promoting second language learning and cultural diversity in schools across New Zealand.

First prize winner, Colden Sapir from ACG Parnell College, shared his winning speech and also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the competition and highlighted the positive impact that learning Chinese has had on his academic journey and personal development. “I encourage all Chinese language learners to keep pursuing your dream in Chinese and be persistent. Your hard work will pay off, and you are living up to your youth,” said Sapir.

As the prize-giving ceremony was only a few days after the Dragon Boat Festival, the Institute incorporated elements of this much-celebrated and long-standing Chinese Festival to add a taste of culture and an air of festivity to the day. Attendees were treated to Chinese performances and zongzi, a traditional rice dumpling eaten at this time of the year, making it a double celebratory event enjoyed by all.

One of the Confucius Institute in Auckland’s network of schools, Glendowie College held a Cultural Night on June 20th where the Chinese lion dance was featured, captivating and impressing the audience. Below is an extract about the performance from their newsletter, and the clip of this amazing show.

[From Glendowie College] The Chinese lion dance, a captivating Chinese cultural performance, took centre stage at the Cultural Night held at Glendowie College on June 20th. The talented students who brought the performance to life were Han Wang on the drums, and lion dancers Jenny An, Yisen Peng, James Shinkarenko, and Andy Yang. Their precision, coordination, and artistry made the performance engaging and memorable for every audience member. The lion dance performance provided a fantastic opportunity for everyone to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and truly experience its rich traditions. The students from the lion dance team have described their participation as an incredible journey, highlighting the energy and teamwork required to bring this remarkable performance to life.