Celebrating Chinese New Year with a Fun Mandarin Taster Session!
The Business Confucius Institute (BCI) welcomed attendees to a fun Chinese New Year Language Taster Session on Tuesday 10 February, offering a friendly introduction to Mandarin ahead of the upcoming Year of the Horse celebrations. The one‑hour session, led by BCI language teacher Qingyuan, took place in Maurice Keyworth SR (1.05) and quickly filled with participants keen to learn more about the language and culture behind Lunar New Year.
The session introduced a range of useful seasonal expressions, starting with simple greetings such as “nǐ hǎo” (hello), “xièxie” (thank you) and “xīnnián kuàilè” (happy new year). Participants also learned how to name all twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, gaining insight into their meanings, symbolism, and their role in New Year celebrations.
Many thanks for creating, arranging and presenting the interesting and most enjoyable Chinese Language event today!
To put their new vocabulary into practice, attendees took part in an interactive drawing game in which one participant sketched a zodiac animal while others guessed the correct term in Mandarin. The activity sparked plenty of laughter and friendly competition, with small festive prizes—including Chinese bookmarks and Lunar New Year cards, awarded to the winners.
Qingyuan also shared cultural context throughout the session, offering an accessible look at how families across China prepare for the holiday and what the Year of the Horse represents. The relaxed atmosphere encouraged beginners to ask questions, try speaking aloud, and engage with both the language and its traditions.
The BCI will continue its celebrations next week with two dedicated events marking the arrival of the Year of the Horse. Staff, students, and members of the public are warmly invited to take part and explore more of Chinese culture.
