Harrogate Grammar School Students Visit University of Leeds for a Day of Mandarin Learning and Cultural Discovery

Accompanied by Adrian Stipetic, Head of Modern Foreign Languages, the students travelled to Leeds for a special programme organised by the Business Confucius Institute (BCI) at the University of Leeds. Harrogate Grammar School is a longstanding Confucius Classroom school, supported by the BCI, and all of the visiting students are currently studying Mandarin as part of their language learning journey.

The day began with the students taking Level 1 of the Youth Chinese Test (YCT), an internationally recognised Chinese language proficiency examination designed for secondary school learners. Having worked hard throughout the year to develop their Mandarin skills, the students approached the test with enthusiasm and confidence.

Following the examination, students attended an engaging presentation about the realities and rewards of learning Mandarin. They explored what makes China such a fascinating country, discussed the challenges and milestones that come with learning Chinese, and learned why Mandarin is not necessarily difficult to learn but does require dedication and time. The session also highlighted the many opportunities that speaking a foreign language can create, from travel and cultural experiences to future study and career prospects in an increasingly interconnected world.

To give the visitors a flavour of higher education, students were given a campus tour, introducing students to key areas of the University of Leeds and providing an insight into university life. The tour encouraged students to begin thinking about their future educational aspirations while experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of a leading Russell Group university.

One of the highlights of the day was a Chinese cooking workshop, where students learned how to make jiaozi (Chinese dumplings). Under guidance, they prepared and assembled their own dumplings before sitting down to enjoy the finished results. The hands-on activity offered students a fun and engaging introduction to an important aspect of Chinese culture.

The programme continued with a Chinese character workshop, giving students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Chinese writing system and explore the meaning and structure behind commonly used characters.

Students then took part in a creative cultural craft activity, designing colourful bookmarks and carefully writing their Chinese names on them. The personalised bookmarks provided a memorable keepsake from the day and a reminder of their progress in learning Mandarin.

The visit concluded with a presentation ceremony, celebrating the students' participation and commitment to language learning. Certificates were presented to mark their achievements and recognise their enthusiasm throughout the day.

Adrian Stipetic, Head of Modern Foreign Languages

"Thanks so, so much for hosting us yesterday!  The students really enjoyed it and got a lot out of it. Thanks very much for all your efforts in making it possible."

The visit forms part of the ongoing partnership between the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds and Harrogate Grammar School, helping to promote Mandarin language learning and cultural understanding among young people across the region. Through experiences such as these, students are able to develop both their language skills and their appreciation of Chinese culture in an enjoyable and immersive environment.