Skill 1: Chinese Class Level Up — AI-Powered, Unleashing New Horizons in Expression

The second week of the Winter Break Chinese course is in full swing! With ongoing AI support, students have shifted straight into advanced mode for their Chinese skills. Moving beyond pronunciation correction and vocabulary translation, AI now serves as a personalized teaching assistant and an all-around partner — helping instructors generate ultra-realistic dialogue scripts for scenarios like ordering food, asking for directions, and shopping.It can also adjust difficulty in real time, perfectly matching each student’s pace so that learners at different levels can express themselves with confidence.

Students teamed up to chat freely — discussing weekend plans, talking about Chinese festivals — and whenever they got stuck, AI jumped in instantly. Grammar and measure word challenges turned into clear visual guides in no time. The student who couldn’t stop thinking about jiǔniàng xiǎo wánzi (sweet fermented rice balls) last week can now smoothly recommend tāngyuán (glutinous rice balls), while others used AI to look up the Chinese names for their hometown dishes. Learning through playing — progress you can actually see!

Skill 2: Language Practice Upgraded — Hidden Gems at Lu Xun Park

Su Xiaoya (Argentina), Lee Eun-young (South Korea), and Yoseelyn (Russia) from Senior 1, Class 1, shared their experiences from a visit to Lu Xun Park (Instructor: Zhang Xiuwen).Armed with interview task sheets handed out by their teacher, the students dashed straight to Lu Xun Park, eager to unlock the real-world “expansion pack” of their Chinese practice class.

Not the least bit shy, they confidently stepped up to strike conversations, quickly immersing themselves in the authentic local atmosphere of old Shanghai. Through face-to-face chats, they sharpened their language skills and truly connected their textbook knowledge to real life. This park, steeped in historical charm and brimming with down-to-earth warmth, proved to be the perfect hidden gem for hands-on learning.

Just as the activity was in full swing, a martial artist practicing with a sword suddenly appeared, instantly becoming the highlight and surprise of the day. The students immediately gathered around, eagerly asking for tips on sword techniques and transforming into enthusiastic wushu fans on the spot. With the artist’s patient guidance, everyone rolled up their sleeves and started learning the basic moves of Tai Chi swordplay, carefully adjusting their postures and refining their motions—progressing from awkward beginners to learners with noticeably improved form. Through each movement, they genuinely experienced the unique beauty of Tai Chi sword, where strength meets softness, and began to understand the Chinese philosophy of balancing stillness and action.

This practical class completely transformed language learning from a routine task into an engaging experience, successfully turning traditional culture into a source of inspiration. For the students, it built a unique bridge to unlocking the charm of China.

Skill 3: Through Song, Meeting the Beauty of Chinese Melody

“Do you usually listen to Chinese songs? Any favorite Chinese singers?” The moment the question was asked, the classroom instantly buzzed with excitement! Students immediately switched into rapid-fire response mode — some shared hidden gem singles they have on repeat, others passionately cheered for their favorite idols, chatting back and forth in lively conversation.

Seizing the moment, the teacher smoothly launched a mini-lesson on Chinese music, guiding everyone on a journey through its rich history. Then, a slideshow of exquisite instrument images rolled out one after another — the erhu, guzheng, pipa, suona… each dazzling the eyes. Followed by live performance clips that captivated the whole room, the graceful melodies and nimble fingerwork fully showcasing the unique charm of traditional Chinese instruments!

The students listened, completely mesmerized, immersing themselves in this ancient and soulful musical world. Before long, one student eagerly raised their hand, eyes sparkling as they exclaimed, “Teacher, I want to learn how to play a Chinese instrument too!”

Skill 4: Museum Quest – An Immersive Unlocking of Cultural Heritage

On the way to the Shanghai Museum, the students on the bus could hardly contain their excitement! Everyone brimmed with curiosity about what awaited them. Let's follow along and see where their exploration took them!

Upon entering the Bronze Gallery, the students were instantly captivated. They paused before the intricate and exquisite decorative motifs, softly exchanging thoughts. Every line etched on these ancient artifacts seemed to whisper of how our ancestors contemplated heaven, earth, and life itself.

Standing before the display cases, students reflected in awe: "So, three thousand years ago, people were already expressing their understanding of the world in this way."

Continuing their journey into the Jiangnan Craftsmanship Hall, the students were greeted by elegant lacquerware and delicate jewelry. These artifacts not only showcased the extraordinary skill of ancient Chinese artisans but also offered a direct sense of the philosophical ideal behind Chinese aesthetics — that objects embody deeper meaning, where practicality and artistry unite in perfect harmony. This fusion, they realized, has long been woven into the very fabric of Chinese culture. Through these diverse handcrafted creations, the students could vividly sense the rich and varied life and customs of the Jiangnan region.

The students’ exploration didn’t stop there. In the Calligraphy and Painting Gallery, one student immediately recognized a piece of calligraphy from a previous lesson and whispered excitedly, “Teacher, I can write that too!” There is no better practice than hands-on experience. From the Ceramics Hall and the Currency Gallery to the Digital Pavilion, the diverse and interactive spaces allowed everyone to immerse themselves fully in the experience.

This museum visit not only enriched the students’ knowledge but also revealed the profound cultural heritage and unique cultural confidence of the Chinese nation. What they witnessed was not only the beauty of objects but also the living spirit of a tradition passed down through generations. And perhaps, this is the most vivid reflection of what it means to “find resonance with the soul.”

Source: Study at SISU