Language Centre successfully held an English Corner themed China in Our Eyes, facilitated by Adam Rose, on April 22. The event drew nearly 20 students from the university.

Students took part in a task to market a Chinese city to international tourists. An extra twist was to avoid tourist “clichés” in favour of finding activities that reflected students’ real feelings about modern Chinese culture and the aspects that make the cities that they chose unique.

Working in small groups, students undertook a number of sub-tasks, including deciding which city to market, choosing a target market, creating a sample itinerary aimed at that market, and coming up with an advertising slogan for their city.

Through these activities, students were able to practise the skills of negotiation and constructive collaboration. The task format provided a structure for lively discussions that ensured that all students had a chance to share their points of view.

At the end of the session, each group presented the results of their campaign. Cities presented ranged from Anqing to Qingdao, and from Kunming to Tianjin. Recommendations included exploring terraced fields, experiencing Huangmei Opera, and discovering cultural landmarks such as Six Feet Alley and the former residence of Deng Jiaxian, a renowned Chinese physicist who played a pivotal role in China’s early scientific and technological development.

Through their insightful, quirky, and humorous campaigns, each group conveyed a distinct perspective on the city they had chosen. At the end of the session, several students remarked that the session had helped change the way they think about presenting China to international audiences and communicating the idea of “China in Our Eyes.”

Writer: Adam Rose

Photographer: Zhi Hui