First Confucius Classroom for CIBL
On 18 June 2013 the Confucius Institute for Business London (CIBL) based at LSE opened its first Confucius Classroom at Dulwich College which will service the Isle of Sheppey Academy and City High Academy in Lambeth. The launch took place at the Isle of Sheppey, where students had their first experience with China. Mr. Day, the head-teacher of the Academy, said in his opening speech, that the Confucius Classroom will provide a platform for students to learn about the world and China, and become international talents. It will also give students the opportunity to develop links with China, a beneficial and important prequisite for doing business with China.
The ceremony was attended by: Mr. Zhi Feng, Representative of China Embassy to the UK, Ralph Mainard, Managing Director of the International Franchise Schools in Dulwich College and Chairman of Isle of Sheppey governors, Nick Mair, Director of Dulwich College modern languages and the Chair of the Modern Language Association in the UK, David Day, Principal of the Isle of Sheppey Academy, and Professor Lisheng Luo – China Director of CIBL, as well as staff from Dulwich College, the Isle of Sheppey Academy and CIBL.
After the speeches delivered by Mr. Zhi Feng, Mr. Day, Mr. Mainard, and Prof. Luo the celebration gala was opened. The Confucius classroom students attended Chinese classes delivered by the energetic teachers Andrew Stark, Miriam Storrs-Fox, Man Li and Xiaolin Zhang from Dulwich College and CIBL, LSE. Joshua Andermarch, an LSE student-ambassador who has learnt Chinese very well, used his studying experience to encourage students to learn more about China, LSE and the exciting world. To top the day off, a lively and interactive mini Chinese market expanded students’ enthusiasm. Students learnt numbers in Chinese and were able to buy many lovely Chinese goods by using the credits they earned during their Chinese taster classes earlier in the day. All of the Chinese classes, together with the Chinese market, were warmly welcomed by the students of the Isle of Sheppey Academy.