CHINA
Intensive Language and Society in Transition
Language in China is, and has always been, a dynamic and powerful force, and as we enter a contemporary reality of emerging powers and dominant cultural influences, the voice of this great country speaks louder than ever before. Among the educated classes of this country´s historical and contemporary societies, the written word is considered to be so powerful as to be indicative of the quality of a person´s character; it is in this spontaneous and flowing trace that is captured the true essence of one´s inner being. In line with the Dragons approach to real interaction and communication without boundaries, we offer a strong and atypical approach to language learning in China, drawing out the links between language and history, society, and cultural progression.
Our Intensive Mandarin program is based in Northwest Yunnan, a region renowned for its natural beauty and ethnic diversity - home to over 13 ethnic groups, including the Naxi, Tibetan, Yi, Mosuo and Bai peoples. This summer, students will live with families at Lashihai, in a small community located 20kms outside the ancient city of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the home of the Naxi minority people. Lashihai is a lake situated at the base of the 5596m Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, surrounded by forests, rolling hills and picturesque villages. When not in classes or spending time with home-stay families, students engage in a variety of activities that allow them to practice their newfound language skills while exploring the natural and cultural beauty of this fascinating region. Sample activities include paddling around the lake in traditional dugout canoes, organizing a riveting "U.S. vs. China" pick-up soccer or basketball game with village teenagers, foraging for medicinal plants with local medicine men, biking or trekking to more remote ethnic minority villages, learning traditional Naxi dances, visiting Buddhist temples, shopping at local markets, participating in workshops at a nearby artist colony, teaching English to village children, volunteering at an orphanage, and collaborating with local NGOs on service projects.
The ultimate in China-based language learning programs, we combine in-depth and rigorous language study with out-of-the-classroom experiences. With carefully selected workbooks and texts for both beginning and advanced students of Mandarin, we craft relevant lessons to build upon each student's personally-defined explorations of the language and its meaning in cultural context. Our Mandarin-speaking instructors offer the most precise language guidance while also offering a vision that encompasses the broad scope of this course's ultimate goals for cultural and personal discovery.
Week One*:
Orientation in L.A.; Fly to Beijing; introductions to modern China: political history, traditional culture, development and change. Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Great Wall. Evening acrobats, feast meals; meet with academics, executives and advocates for labor and minority groups. Visit Olympic sites, and discuss China´s developing status as a first-world power.
Week Two:
Train to Xian: Terra-cotta Soldiers, ancient history, ideas of national identity, further consideration of ethnic minority issues. Fly to Kunming, Yunnan Province, night bus to Lashihai, begin home-stays and language study.
Week Three to Five:
Lashihai Language study and home-stay. Four to five hours of daily language instruction. Introduction to regional minority cultures; on-going discussion of China´s development and emergence as a global power; community service project; outings with home-stay families and language partners; exploration of neighboring villages and extraordinary mountain scenery; lessons in traditional arts; Tai Chi Chuan and conceptions of mindfulness, energy and health; Traditional Chinese Medicine; philosophical influences on Chinese culture, politics and national identity.
Week Six:
Farewell feast and celebration with home-stay families. Trekking to Wenhai Naxi Village, Xuehua Yi Village and Tiger Leaping Gorge. Return to Kunming, fly Kunming back to Los Angeles.
*Program itineraries are sample itineraries, and will change to utilize staff connections and to best accommod
http://www.wheretherebedragons.com/programs/chinese_summer_abroad.htm?gclid=CPjFqdSSmI0CFQ1UTAodZ3WN3Q
主题: 老外学汉语赛过白相一样 
周日 七月 08, 2007 11:23 pm
