Kohima, August 11 (MExN): Modern College, Kohima introduced Mandarin (Chinese) as a foreign language on August 3 as part of foreign language skills initiative, “one of the first of its kind in the State to create global awareness and provide global perspectives and opportunities to the students.”
The college invited Hongfei Xing, Director of English Practice Center, University of Science and Technology of China as a foreign language faculty to teach Mandarin to the students.
The College Principal stated in a press release that the Mandarin course is being conducted for two periods on a daily basis. The course has been well received and this is evident from the enrolment of students and faculty and from their usage of Mandarin to communicate within and outside of the classroom settings. The course has sought and incited active participation from the students where they have posed various questions ranging from language, education system, livelihood and culture of the people of China.
“Pleco”, a Chinese dictionary App has been provided to the students to aid and enhance their learning of Mandarin, he also stated. Food is an important aspect of culture and Chinese cuisine is one that is familiar and popular with the students and faculty alike. “Needless to say, requests to introduce cooking lessons have poured in as well and hence cooking lesson is also incorporated into the curriculum. Besides the language and the food, students are also taught on paper-cut and handicraft skills,” he added.
