CLEC People

CLEC People Joining volunteer teachers, foreign students and scholarship recipients for lesson ideas, training programs and professional experience.
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Meet Nmili Ilham, a young woman from Morocco who defied everyone telling her "The Chinese language is too hard, you'll n...
17/08/2026

Meet Nmili Ilham, a young woman from Morocco who defied everyone telling her "The Chinese language is too hard, you'll never learn it". Despite all of the doubters, she made up her mind to travel to China.

Just two years later, she successfully passed the HSK Level-5 exam.

"Many people ask me how I made it," she shares. "My answer is simple. I memorize and write Chinese characters again and again. I work out how words connect to form sentences. But most importantly, I feel the culture behind the language — a civilization spanning thousands of years."

Stories from her HSK textbooks touched her deeply. The ancient tale of Zilu carrying rice from more than 100 li (50km) away for his parents struck a chord with her. The principle "filial piety comes first" gave her a valuable lesson far beyond language learning. Reading about the origins of Chinese New Year brought back warm memories of celebrating Spring Festival with local Chinese families.

"At its heart, language is the bond that connects people to one another."

Meet Lin Shi, a young talent from Tanzania who adopted this beautiful Chinese name. Fluent in Mandarin, she has fallen d...
12/08/2026

Meet Lin Shi, a young talent from Tanzania who adopted this beautiful Chinese name. Fluent in Mandarin, she has fallen deeply in love with traditional Chinese culture. She is often heard practicing elegant Yuju Opera melodies backstage while getting ready, showcasing the timeless charm of this traditional Chinese art in Africa.

Her Chinese language journey began in middle school, when she attended her first Chinese language class. Eager to polish her pronunciation and oral skills, she immersed herself in Chinese movies and songs, practicing every single word intently. Starting as a student at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dodoma, she blossomed into a local Chinese teacher. In 2023, she joined a teacher exchange program and traveled to Zhengzhou, Henan, where she received systematic professional training in Yuju Opera under the guidance of local Chinese instructors.

She was instantly amazed by the bold, powerful, and infectious vocals of Yuju Opera. Driven by passion, she devoted herself to rigorous daily training, refining her vocal delivery, breathing control, and stage movements repeatedly to perfect every detail of her performance.

Today, Lin Shi stands firmly on the teaching podium, inspiring more young people to learn Chinese, while carrying forward the beauty of Yuju Opera in traditional costumes. In her lively classroom, students greet each other in Chinese, dreaming of becoming professional translators or pursuing further studies in China.

"Without the Chinese language, I would never have my current career, nor would I have the chance to study in China," she shares sincerely. "Chinese has broadened my worldview and empowered me to build a heartfelt bridge connecting Tanzania and China."

10/08/2026

Meet Vuka Federico, the third-prize winner of the 2026 "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners across the Globe – Storytelling Contest!

Football was once Vuka Federico's most familiar life arena. The young Italian chased his dreams out on the pitch, until a sudden injury forced him to say goodbye to the green field he loved.
By chance, he arrived in Shanghai. The unfamiliar city and modest living space once left him confused and discouraged. Everything shifted when he read Tang Dynasty (618-907) writer Liu Yuxi’s timeless prose The Humble Room Inscription. The line "Though this is a humble room, it is made fragrant by the virtue of its owner" struck deep within him.

He came to realize that the companionship from his teachers and the kindness from his friends were the most precious gifts he had received. “This ancient essay is far more than literature — it is a source of inner strength,” he said.

From a sense of loss and uncertainty to inner peace and personal growth, Vuka found healing and courage in Chinese classics.

Click the video to watch Vuka Federico's inspiring journey of self-discovery through Chinese culture!

05/08/2026

Meet Khor Cheng Lim, the third-prize winner of the 2026 "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners across the Globe – Storytelling Contest!

A student majoring in modern funeral technology and management at Changsha Social Work College in Changsha, capital city of Central China's Hunan province, she laid her eyes on the unique way the Chinese people bid farewell to the deceased. Khor shared how she discovered the subtle and profound warmth of Eastern culture through delicate Chinese words and expressions.

She found that the Chinese people rarely use the word "die" or “dead” for passing away. Instead, they gently say "gone" or "left". These soft and simple words carry the deepest longing and heartfelt care for departed loved ones.

Driven by curiosity, she explored classic mourning writings by ancient literati such as Su Shi and Gui Youguang, and was deeply touched by the simple sentence "Rest in peace" in real life. At that moment, she realized that the Chinese language never shuns death, but embraces farewells in the gentlest way, easing the weight of parting with tenderness.

Through these heartfelt expressions of farewell, she has come to understand the implicit and profound emotional wisdom of Chinese culture — parting is never an end, for sincere longing can transcend time and remain forever in people's hearts.

Click the video to watch her touching interpretation of Chinese culture and farewell!

03/08/2026

Meet Loc Thi Anh Thu, the second-prize winner of the 2026 "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners across the Globe – Storytelling Contest!

On the Chinese Bridge stage, the Vietnamese contestant delivered a witty and lively performance, sharing how she carved out her own unique path in Chinese language learning with creative and imaginative methods.

When she first started learning the Chinese language, Loc was frequently troubled by misunderstandings and even funny mistakes in class. Faced with complicated Chinese characters and tricky dialect challenges, she never felt discouraged. Instead, she turned character recognition into a fun, imaginative game, making steady progress amid laughter and joy.

Her efforts finally paid off. She has successfully passed the HSK8 examination and gained affection from tens of thousands of online followers. She lives by her spirited mantra: "No matter the grammar mistakes, I learn in my own way and never back down."

It is this boldness and passion that drives her deeper into the world of Chinese, letting the language blend into her life in the most vivid and wonderful way.

Click the video to watch Loc Thi Anh Thu’s inspiring Chinese language learning story!

29/07/2026

Meet Etel Vinicius from Brazil, the second-prize winner of the 2026 "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners across the Globe – Storytelling Contest!

He instantly fell in love with Guangzhou after arriving in the city last year. The sweltering climate offered him a brand-new understanding of Lingnan summers. Herbal tea paired with rock sugar showed him the unique wellness wisdom of Cantonese people, while mouth-watering Cantonese dim sum won his heartfelt praise.
His most cherished memory is a lively morning tea experience. A slight misunderstanding arising from cultural differences granted him fresh insights into Cantonese tea culture. Through every sip and bite, he came to understand the lifestyle of Lingnan people.

From initial excitement as a newcomer to gradual integration into local life, these delightful cultural encounters made Etel grow fond of Guangdong and let him truly appreciate the distinctive charm of Lingnan culture.

Click the video to find out more about Etel’s wonderful journey in Guangdong!

27/07/2026

Meet Dashiel Denison Drury, the first-prize winner of the 2026 "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners across the Globe – Storytelling Contest!

On the Chinese Bridge stage, the young Australian talent shared his most unforgettable travel experience in China. During the May Day holiday, Dashiel embarked on a wonderful trip to Xinjiang with his father.

He wandered through bustling bazaars, tasted authentic local delicacies, and immersed himself in the diverse and vibrant ethnic customs of Xinjiang. What left the deepest impression on him was a warm Uyghur greeting from a local shop owner — a small, heartfelt moment that embodied the unique warmth of the land.

Filled with pleasant surprises, this incredible journey gifted him countless precious memories and deepened his affection for Chinese culture.

Click the video to watch Dashiel's vivid story and feel the charm of China’s diverse ethnic culture!

From learning the Chinese language to truly understanding China, Sri Lankan young Sinologist T.KA.P. Kumura, known by hi...
22/07/2026

From learning the Chinese language to truly understanding China, Sri Lankan young Sinologist T.KA.P. Kumura, known by his Chinese name as An Xile, has journeyed across more than 25 Chinese provinces over the past decade.

Since 2012, he has completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in China. After returning to his home country to teach Chinese, he came back to China under the China Studies Program to further his academic research, dedicating 10 years to building a profound bond with China.

An Xile explores the authentic China with his footsteps. He volunteered as a teacher at a rural high school in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province and witnessed how digital empowerment revitalizes rural governance in Wusi village, Zhejiang province. These immersive grassroots experiences have shaped his unique understanding of the China Studies Program.

From her first trip to Dalian in the summer of 2008, to winning the first prize at the 2011 Chinese Bridge Chinese Profi...
20/07/2026

From her first trip to Dalian in the summer of 2008, to winning the first prize at the 2011 Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students, — and now pursuing her doctoral degree at Peking University — Elena Kozhevnikova’s bond with the Chinese language has stretched for nearly two decades.

After claiming the top award at the Chinese Bridge in 2011, Elena pursued her master's degree at Peking University. Upon graduation, she worked as a language teacher for seven years. During her teaching career, she noticed some common challenges facing foreign language learners with different native tongues. Eager to dive deeper into this field, she returned to Peking University for her PhD.

Her doctoral research centers on second language acquisition. She has offered optional Russian courses at primary schools, and actively taken part in academic forums and cultural exchange events. From the Chinese Bridge competition stage to Peking University, Elena has devoted herself to teaching and academic research. She hopes to keep contributing to the study and teaching of Chinese as a second language, using language as a bridge linking nations, cultures and academic communities worldwide.

Daniela Vargas Medina, known also by her Chinese name as Wan Danni, hails from the Dominican Republic. She is a student ...
16/07/2026

Daniela Vargas Medina, known also by her Chinese name as Wan Danni, hails from the Dominican Republic. She is a student at the Confucius Institute at the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology and champion of the Dominican Republic regional round of the 19th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign secondary school students.

To Daniela, every Chinese character resembles a miniature painting brimming with profound history and timeless stories, while each tone carries melodic rhythms that convey distinct meanings.

Over more than a year of learning the Chinese language, she has come a long way: from seeing Chinese characters as intricate little drawings to practicing them diligently, from struggling to distinguish the pronunciation of "buy" and "sell" to communicating fluently in Chinese language. Her Chinese language learning journey has brought her abundant knowledge, pure joy, and a circle of new friends from all corners of the globe.

For Daniela, Chinese language is a one-of-a-kind key that unlocks the vibrant, diverse world of Chinese culture step by step.

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中国北京西城区德胜门外大街129号
Beijing
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