Heated Debate among Young Chinese and Foreign “Chinese Language Teachers” with High Spirit and Flying Dreams
—2nd “Chinese Language Teaching Idols” Summer Camp and Quarter-final of 2018 Exchange Conference on Teaching of Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages Held

On June 25th, the second “Chinese Language Teaching Idols” Summer Camp and the Quarter-final of 2018 Exchange Conference on Teaching of Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL) came to a successful conclusion. 32 contestants in four groups had a heated debate in the quarter-final. After voting from the audience and the judges’ scoring, 12 Chinese and foreign constants including Wang Keran, Ai Moben, Lu Yifei and Kanda Rumi will compete in the final of the second “Chinese Language Teaching Idols” Summer Camp.

The judges of the debate consisted of Professor Zhang Bo, Director of the University Council of Beijing Language and Culture University, Fang Ming, President of Chinese Association of Quyuan and Professor of Beijing Language and Culture University, Professor Ji Lianhai, Keynote Speaker of CCTV's program Lecture Room and Tang Yun, former senior foreign experts of the Division of Italian of China Radio International, professor of Communication School of Wenzhou Business College and sinologist in Italy.

Divided into two sessions of “Young Chinese Language Teachers” and “Heated Debate”, contestants from the four groups conducted fierce debates full of quotes from the best authors, winning waves of applauses from the audience.

Contestants asking voters for support

The audience

Who will win from the heated argument?

To promote the development of the cause of Chinese language teaching, the debate, the debate with four classic topics, namely, “Does Internet brings people closer or more estranged”, “Which is more important: process or result”, “Are those who feel contented always happy” and “Is a good competitor more important than a good partner on the path of success”, were designed to test contestants’ sensitiveness to social hotspot topics and cultural attainment.

For the topic of “Does Internet brings people closer or more estranged”, contestants discussed pros and cons of the Internet, a double-edged sword, with vivid cases and witty languages. To Wang Keran from Shanghai Normal University, the Internet may be an abyss or a broad road, so what’s important is to view it dialectically. Qin Yue from Shanghai International Studies University thought that whether people become closer or estranged depends on communicative means and mass texting during the Chinese New Year period will never replace the warmth of face-to-face greetings. The judge Professor Ji Lianhai expressed his affirmation to the contestants, and pointed out that they should discuss the topic in a more comprehensive manner with more accurate data to support their argument.

Debate competition site

The contestant Tsomejio Atsah from Cameroon brilliantly expounded on the topic “Which is more important: process or result”. He expressed that result can lead to the process and test the process. BETUL KESKIN from Turkey believed that a person should not be deemed a hero merely on the basis of the success or failure of their endeavors. Although every contestant wants to be the champion, everyone is a hero as they made friends and learned something during the process of the competition. Hu Yue from Tianjin Normal University said that both the old Chinese saying “The last leg of a journey marks the halfway point” and President Xi Jinping’s words “We all pull together in forging ahead” demonstrate the relationship between objects and results.

Debater stating opinion

There is a Chinese proverb “Those who feel contented always happy.” Focusing on this topic, Chinese and foreign debaters had fierce discussions. Etienne BANKUWIHA from Burundi believed that the positive attitude of pursuing innovation and progress today is not to deny our past achievements. When we are not content with our lot, we want to take advantage of limited conditions to create more values. Kondo from Japan held that contentment is what happiness lies in because we can readily face our life when we feel contented. The judge Professor Zhang Bo affirmed the performance of both sides, and suggested that the affirmative should add new connotations to traditional proverb while the negative should turned their disadvantage into an advantage and break through bottleneck with reverse thinking. In virtue of the knowledge of Chinese history and culture, especially famous figures such as Ban Chao, a Chinese military general, explorer and diplomat of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and Cao Cao, one of the greatest of the generals at the end of the Han Dynasty, the judge Professor Ji Lianhai told the contestants that those who are not contented made history.

Debater stating opinion

Outstanding talents debating together on the stage

Mozi, an ancient Chinese philosopher once said: “Debaters will make clear the distinction between right and wrong; investigate the rules of order and chaos; make clear the similarity and difference; and examine the name and reality”. During the free debate, both sides expounded the pro and con arguments in a tit-for-tat manner. With the focus on its own stance, each side captured the logical fallacies of the opponents, and asked pointed questions as well as provided answers with agility, winning loud applause.

Frederico Forte from Portugal and Katyusha Wang from Ukraine debated the relations between processes and results in terms of Chinese language teaching, illustrating respective views from such aspects as the process of Chinese exams and arrangements for Chinese language teaching classes. Katyusha Wang believed that as the saying goes, “The sharpness of a sword results from repeated grinding, while the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from frigid weather”, we should learn to enjoy the sceneries in the process. However, Frederico Forte believed that there will be no progress process without goals and directions. Only by setting reasonable goals in accordance with one’s own conditions, can he or she achieve ideal outcomes from learning Chinese. Anghagia from Mongolia and Yue Nan from Anyang Normal University carried out a debate on “Whether content is happiness”. Yue Nan held that it is because “being discontent” that we are prompted by the Chinese Dream to make constant progress.

Debater stating opinion

Debater stating opinion

As a Chinese saying goes, he who gets in contact with a person with virtue will become smart, and he who lives with a foolish man will be muddleheaded. By citing Chinese proverbs and historical events, debaters showed their agile thinking and understandings of the debate topic about whether good opponents or partners matter more on the road to success. A contestant from Kazakhstan who gave himself a Chinese name Kulpynay Duisenbay quoted his experience as mandarin teacher and Kazakhstan-China cooperative relationship to prove his viewpoint that good partners play a more important role in achieving success. Kulpynay said that the Belt and Road Initiative sponsored by China is progressing in Central Asia, and the bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and China has registered fruitful results in economic development and cultural exchanges. Lv Zhe from Minzu University of China held the view that one cannot succeed all by himself/herself, but will go further with the company of friends. Ben Elmakias from the US gave several examples to illustrate the opinion that people can improve themselves only when they meet their matches in competitions. Che Junchi from South China Normal University noted that only a well matched adversary can be called qualified and will inspire people to pursue success. Zeng Andi from Beijing Foreign Studies University and Gao Zhengrong from Anhui University presented the art of language with sharp tongues and humor. In the free debate session, all the debaters spoke out freely with reasons, and audience also felt inspired and satisfied.

With Experts’ Presence, Comments Impressed Audience

“Lookers-on see most of the game”, and the judges' questions and comments are also excellent. In the discussion on “results and process”, Professor Ji Lianhai shared his views and opinions while commenting on the players. Professor Fang Ming’s question hit the nail on the head, making everyone in the venue sink into a reverie.

Professor Ji Lianhai pointed out in the comments that the contestants showed both their knowledge and accomplishment as a Chinese teacher during the debate. Professor Zhang Bo said that the debate perfectly balanced the abilities of both sides and enabled the players to show their strength. “There are other hills whose stones are good for working jade”. There should be contradiction and agreement in a debate. It is necessary to enhance the momentum through the power of thought and logic. Professor Tang Yun also pointed out that cultural exchanges are an important bridge for state-to-state exchanges. She is very happy to see Chinese teachers use language and culture to bridge the two countries. Professor Fang Ming also affirmed the performance of the contestants in the free debate. He emphasized that the “Chinese Language Teaching Idols” provided a very good opportunity for Chinese and foreign contestants to communicate face to face. The contestants communicated through the debate and deepened their understanding of each other's culture and history.

Panel of experts

The “Chinese Language Teaching Idols” also set up a mentor session. In the voting session, the tutors of each group also posed on the stage, introducing the hardship and sweats of the team members in the preparation for the competition, and letting the audience know the bits and pieces behind the game. After the four stages of statement, questioning, free debate and summary, 12 players reached the final.

Top 12 contestants

As an important tool and cultural carrier for understanding China, Chinese is valued by more and more governments, educational institutions and enterprises. In order to develop friendly relations between China and the rest of the world, enhance the understanding of Chinese language and culture among the peoples of the world, and provide convenient and excellent learning conditions for Chinese learners in various countries, China continues to promote the innovative development of Chinese international education. The holding of the 2nd “Chinese Language Teaching Idols” not only expanded the influence of Chinese international education, but also demonstrated the new style and faces of Chinese teachers. It will also inspire more outstanding Chinese and foreign youths to participate in this great and meaningful cause.