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After two months of intense preparation and fruitful teaching, the first Mandarin Course (Pilot Course for DUT Staff Members) at Confucius Institute at Durban University and Technology (DUT), South Africa was successfully completed on 29 of April.
The trial course began on March 19th and have lasted for five weeks, with 4 hours a week and a total of 20 hours. It is the first one of a series of programs to be launched after the formal operation of Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology since this mid-February.
Quite a lot of DUT Staff members have been attracted to the CI although the promotion and the preparation time were short. Attendants are more than 10 staffs from the Host University, including Dr Lolie Makhubu, Head of Department of Language and Translation, DUT.
The course was aimed at an introduction of Chinese language and culture and a teaching of basic spoken Chinese to enable the learners to acquire an understanding of basic Chinese alphabet, pronunciation, intonation in a short time; and to practice writing Chinese characters and simple daily conversations fluently. A preliminary understanding of Chinese language, especially about the development path and features of Mandarin is introduced to promote the learners’ interest in Chinese language and culture. Upon the completion of the course, the learners have acquired an interest in basic pinyin system, graped the use of at least 80 characters and 10 basic Chinese grammar points; moreover, they are able to speak and write some basic Mandarin sentences. Then, with a brief introduction of Chinese tea culture, Origins of Chinese characters, Chinese kongfu, Chinese ancient buildings they have developed a rough impression of Chinese Culture. The completion of the Pilot Course witnesses each learner awarded a Certificate of Attendance from Confucius Institute, DUT.
Picture 3 : Certificate of Attendance
As a trial Mandarin course, this pilot trial lessons are very well-received. Firstly, it has aroused the interest in learning Chinese language and culture from among both the students and staff members of Durban University of Technology. Secondly, it increases the influence of Confucius Institute in the host university and even in Durban. It also lays a good foundation for the coming language teachings to be coming at Confucius Institute.
To meet the requirements of DUT students to learn Chinese language and culture, Confucius Institute at DUT has launched a special student -oriented Chinese course (Pilot Mandarin Course: DUT Students) on 22 of April with 12 students in progress. The Confucius Institute also plans to open short-term Chinese language courses (Short Courses) this month to provide different levels of Chinese language training to DUT students; subsequent courses like Continuous Professional Education Course for Municipal communities is currently under intense application and preparation. Advertisements and enrollment have also been carried out with the assistance of relevant departments in Durban University of Technology. Furthermore, Chinese learning program for local high schools (Mandarin Fun / Interest Course) are on the way.
Confucius Institute at the Durban University and technology is currently actively promoting a variety of Mandarin teachings in different levels with various objectives, following the relevant provisions of the host university. The CI at DUT is making efforts to soon integrate Chinese language course into university credit courses or general education courses.