NCI Ningbo successfully organized the ever first overseas Mandarin teaching programme. From 11 to 14 July 2017, excellent volunteer Mandarin teacher Ms. Ying Sheng brought lively Mandarin lessons and a series of Chinese culture activities like Chinese painting and Guzheng performance to the Seely Primary School in Nottingham UK. It was highly welcomed by the school teachers and students.

Ms. Ying Sheng’s trip to Nottingham won support from her whole family. Along with her, her father Mr. Jiachang Sheng (membership of Ningbo City Artists Association, Ningbo City Painting and Calligraphy Research Association, Ningbo Haishu CPPCC Painting and Calligraphy Institute) and daughter Xiaohan provided traditional Chinese painting and musical instrument Guzheng performances to the students and teachers of Seely. Ms. Ying Sheng’s husband paused his academic visit in Oxford and went to Nottingham to take care of their younger daughter. NCI Ningbo would like to thank Ms. Ying Sheng and her family’s great efforts in this teaching programme.

Ms. Sheng Ying said "It is cherished. We have built friendship with teachers and students of Seely. The experience of delivering Chinese language and culture together with my family is so valuable and will be undoubtedly unforgettable.”

Good connection between NCI Ningbo and the Seely Primary School has been set since Ms. Jeanette Hitchin, the Headteacher of the Seely Primary School, visited Ningbo and signed a sister school memorandum with Ningbo Dongqian Lake Central Primary School in 2016.

It is also grateful to have support from the Nottingham Confucius Institute (UK). Ningbo Branch will pursue further cooperation with the NCI UK to create more opportunities for overseas Mandarin teaching. Voluntary Mandarin teachers may follow our wechat (UNNC_NCI) for more information.