Confucius Classroom Launched at Mid Yell Junior High School in Scotland, UK

On May 1st, local time, the Confucius Classroom at Mid Yell Junior High School, affiliated to the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS), was launched in grandiose style. The event was attended by Liu Xiaoming, Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom, his wife Hu Pinghua, Wang Yongli, Minister-Counselor for Education, Malcolm Bell, Convener of Shetland Islands Council, David Valentine, International Trade Ambassador of Scottish Chambers of Commerce for China, Mark Lawson, Head Teacher of Mid Yell Junior High School, Fhiona Mackay, Foreign Director of the CISS, Tian Li, Chinese Director of CISS, and Lin Fan, Executive Director of the CISS.

Upon arriving at Mid Yell Junior High, visitors were greeted with “Ni hao. Huan ying! (“Hello! Welcome” in Chinese)”, and were impressed by their enthusiasm and clear pronunciation.

In his opening speech, Lawson extended his gratitude to visitors and the Chinese Embassy in the UK, the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and the CISS for their support and contributions to the school. He said that the school would take the Confucius Classroom as a bridge to advance bilateral exchanges and expand cooperation. He also praised Hanban teachers at the Confucius classroom for their efforts and excellent performance.

Lawson delivering a speech

Liu Xiaoming said in his speech that the Confucius Institute and Confucius Classroom in England have achieved rapid development in the last eight years since he took office as Chinese Ambassador to UK. It is a good time for the Confucius Institute and the Confucius Classroom to grow. Liu Xiaoming humorously compares Chinese to Harry Potter’s magic wand and encourages students to appreciate the charm of Chinese culture by waving the wand. The magic wand of the Chinese language will unveil before your eyes the opportunities that China has offered, as well as help students see the complete picture of a real China and become an envoy of China-UK relationship.

Liu Xiaoming delivering a speech

Bell said in his speech that he will support as always the development of the Confucius Classroom, and hopes two Confucius Classrooms in Shetland will become Chinese-learning bases, in order to serve native students and citizens well to know China and its culture.

Bell delivering a speech

Fhiona Mackay delivered a speech on the topic of “3A”- “Ambassador”, “Achievement”, “Aspiration”. She appreciated Chinese Ambassador to the UK and Liu Xiaoming for their continued support, and spoke highly of the efforts made by the CISS. She also called for all staff in the Confucius Institute and the Confucius Classroom to seize opportunities and build better education frameworks in Chinese teaching.

Fhiona Mackay delivering a speech

On the unveiling ceremony, students from Yell gave an excellent show featuring Chinese culture. They performed Chinese song “Great Sea, My Sweet Home” and poem with music called "A Spring Morning ", attracted the audience and won loud applause. The Shetland Times, BBC Radio Shetland and other mainstream media outlets covered the event.

Liu Xiaoming and Lawson

Unveiling Ceremony

The Confucius Classroom at Mid Yell Junior High School is the second Confucius Classroom in Shetland, and also the farthest and northernmost one. Since the launch of the first Confucius Classroom in Sandwick Junior High School, there have been more than 1,000 students taking Chinese learning to experience and understand Chinese culture and customs.