West Island gala to mark Chinese New Year, Jan. 25
By Maya Jarjour
www.thesuburban.com
Montreal’s Confucius School earned kudos from the Chinese government last month. The most populous country on the planet designated the seven year old educational initiative a model Chinese school—one of only four schools in Canada that China acknowledged in 2013 for their excellence.
The school, located at West Island College’s Tecumseh campus in Dollard des Ormeaux, has grown rapidly since it was founded.
“More than 50 teachers instruct over 500 students aged three to 18 years, as well as many adult students,” said Helen Yu, assistant to Montreal Confucius School president Ching Li.
The school offers classes every Saturday, plus spring and summer day camps. Most courses are taught in Mandarin, and tailored to the needs of each class.
“Chinese characters, language and culture enrich the students’ knowledge.” said Yu. “The school also organizes activities and competitions. For students who are learning Chinese as a foreign language, the teachers have specifically chosen teaching materials and have designed a curriculum to help them learn Chinese effectively. Other courses include math, English, French, Chinese watercolor painting, drawing, sketch, ballet, chess, ping pong, basketball, badminton, yoga, Wu Shu, and Tai Chi.
To expose its students directly to Chinese culture, the school organized a summer camp each year in China and stages cultural knowledge competitions in Montreal, pitting competitors in a contest of reading, math and chess skills.
To bridge Chinese and Western culture, the school has also participated in DDO International Day, Kirkland Multicultural Festival, and Beaconsfield National Day Celebrations, featuring shows of Tai Chi, Kung Fu, traditional dance, Chinese traditional instruments and folk songs.
Chinese diplomats will be on hand to mark the school’s upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations, at an upcoming gala at Dollard des Ormeaux city hall, Jan. 25.
The festivities will celebrate many different cultures, and will include song and dance performances by MCCCA: Milinda, an Egyptian belly dancer, Salinggawai Philippine Arts Organization; Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble; Yue-Zhi Sheng de Montréal; Jingju Canada and Qian Xu Montreal Confucius School.
Several West Island mayors will also be on hand to join diplomats from China’s Montreal consulate at the event.
For more information, contact the school at [514] 691-0412.
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