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The Seventh International Academic Symposium on Dialogue between Language Teaching and the Arts Co-hosted by the BCI

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On July 7–8, 2025, the Seventh International Academic Symposium on Dialogue between Language Teaching and the Arts was successfully held at SOAS University of London. The event was jointly organized by SOAS, the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the University of Leeds, the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds, the Confucius Institute at Queen Mary University of London, and Aleah Assets Ltd.

The symposium series began at the University of Leeds, co-founded by Professors Yang Lan (Leeds), Chen Lili (Sheffield), and Song Lianyi (SOAS). Their goal was to connect language education more closely with culture and the arts. Since then, the event has grown into a lively international platform for sharing ideas across disciplines and cultures. This year, it welcomed scholars, teachers, artists, and producers from China, the UK, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands—showing just how far its global reach and influence have come.

As a key co-organizer, the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds played an active role in planning and supporting the event. At the opening ceremony, Professor Hu Rong, Chinese Director of the BCI, delivered a welcome address on behalf of the organizing institutions. She emphasized that integrating language education with the arts is essential not only for improving the quality of international Chinese language instruction, but also for fostering meaningful cultural exchange in an increasingly globalized world.

With the theme “Integrating Language Teaching and Cultural Arts,” the symposium featured six thematic forums, covering a range of interdisciplinary topics such as "Language and Art," "Language and Teaching," "Language and Culture," "Language, Literature and Art," and "Language, Translation and Cultural Instruction." These sessions presented cutting-edge theoretical explorations and innovative teaching practices in international Chinese education within multimodal cultural contexts.

The symposium opened with a keynote speech by Professor Zhang Huaicun, a lifetime Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, titled "Ways of Seeing: Dialogue and Contrast Between Chinese and Western Arts." Through the lens of visual arts and aesthetics, Professor Zhang provided a compelling analysis of the differences and commonalities between Chinese and Western artistic traditions in terms of language, form, and spirit, offering attendees a deeply thought-provoking perspective on intercultural understanding.

A special concert was also held in the main auditorium of SOAS, showcasing a fusion of Chinese and Western artistic forms, including classical piano performances, poetic recitations, and improvisational works. The performance underscored the emotional resonance and expressive power of the arts in cross-cultural dialogue.

Highlights included:

  • Chinese pianist Yang Yuanfan, who performed Chopin’s Nocturne, Debussy’s Reflections in the Water, and an original composition infused with Chinese melodic elements, earning enthusiastic applause.

  • Pianist Li Yun, known for her sensitivity to both Chinese and Western musical idioms, performed the solo piece Sunset with Flute and Drum, blending poetic lyricism with rhythmic complexity.

  • Professor Liu Dongying of Heilongjiang University gave a moving rendition of The Book of Songs – Jian Jia, weaving classical Chinese literature into a contemporary vocal expression.

  • Mezzo-soprano Gao Xue performed a selection of Chinese and Western art songs, including Phoenix Hairpin and Song of the Yue Boatman, captivating the audience with her nuanced and emotionally resonant voice.

This year’s symposium carried on the series’ strong tradition of combining academic depth with cultural diversity. It also highlighted new trends in international Chinese language education, especially in areas where different disciplines, cultures, and communication styles come together. Attendees praised the event for strengthening academic partnerships and creating fresh opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue.

Looking ahead, the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds remains dedicated to promoting meaningful academic exchange and cultural understanding—helping to drive the global development of high-quality Chinese language education.