Over the past two weeks, our Mandarin classes were filled with joy and excitement as we celebrated Chinese New Year together with our students and their families. This special occasion provided a meaningful way for our students to immerse themselves in Chinese culture while also involving their parents in their learning journey.
In last week’s class, our students had a wonderful time making hóngbāo crafts – traditional red envelopes that symbolize good luck and prosperity. These red envelopes, often filled with money, are an important part of Chinese New Year celebrations. Our students put their creativity to work, crafting beautifully decorated hóngbāo that they were excited to share with their families.
In addition to the craft activity, our dedicated teachers introduced students to some common Chinese New Year greetings. These well-wishes bring happiness and positivity to those who hear them. Some of the phrases our students learned included:
- Xīn nián kuài lè (新年快乐) – Happy New Year!
- Gōng xǐ fā cái (恭喜发财) – Wishing you prosperity!
- Wàn shì rú yì (万事如意) – May everything go well!
- Lóng mǎ jing shén (龙马精神) – Wishing you to have the vitality of a dragon & a horse!
- Shēn tǐ jiàn kāng (身体健康) – Wishing you good health!
To make the celebration even more special, we invited parents to join us at the end of the class for a presentation. Our students proudly showcased what they had learned by saying these greetings to their parents in Mandarin before receiving their hóngbāo. This moment not only demonstrated their learning, but was also an opportunity to encourage cultural appreciation.
Parents shared how much they appreciated this opportunity, as it allowed their children to confidently use these greetings with family members, such as grandparents and relatives, as well as within the wider community, including local businesses run by Mandarin speakers. This connection and real-world practice reinforces the nurturing effect of learning Mandarin and the importance of building relationships through the language.
A special thanks to our amazing teachers for organizing the craft activities and teaching our students with such dedication and care. Your hard work has made a lasting impact on our students and their families.
Happy Chinese New Year to all! May the year of Snake bring happiness, prosperity, good health and continued learning for everyone.
Here are some videos on the tradition of Chinese New Year and the origin of Chinese New Year!
#LearnChinese #LearnMandarin #BuildingRelationship #NurturingEffect #CulturalAppreciation