On the evening of Dec. 19, CHC students and staff gathered in the meeting room for a Christmas Party. They were joined by the foreign volunteers who have been helping with the English corner this semester and some other foreign students from the university. Thanks to one English ladies help the room was beautifully decorated with a nativity scene made from colored paper. She had also made a fireplace and mantel piece complete with some Christmas stockings and a plate of chocolate biscuits ready for Santa Claus!
The evenings celebrations started with some ice-breaking games – some variations on Scissors, paper, rock and a Bingo game which involved talking to new people. Once these games were over, students enjoyed eating custard tarts, chocolate pies, bread rolls, chicken drumsticks, salted peanuts, and other finger foods. The mood was lively, and only got more so, when one of the foreigners picked up his guitar and started playing some well-known songs. We all joined together to sing some popular Christmas songs and some traditional Christmas carols. The evening finished with gift-giving as we thanked the foreign volunteers who had sacrificed their time each week to lead discussion groups in the English corner. Everyone also received a small gift of mixed nuts.
This Christmas party concluded this semesters English corners, as students are already preparing for their end of course examinations. The English corners have followed the Youth Life Education materials of the “Sunshine in Your Heart” Project of the Red Cross Society of China. As well as enjoying a stimulating and lively environment for practising their English, students also learned more about self-management, self-consciousness, interpersonal relationships, how to love themselves and others. The support of foreign volunteers enabled small discussion groups with a high ratio of foreigners to Chinese students. These materials also provided opportunities for role playing and self-discovery quizes. This semesters English corners have been a great opportunity for students to develop their confidence in oral English. In one of their own words “I learned a lot and had a great time!”
