Confucius Classroom at University of Andorra Marks 10th Anniversary with Cultural Events

The Confucius Classroom at the University of Andorra celebrated its 10th anniversary on Friday with a day of events showcasing Chinese language, culture, and cuisine.

Launched in 2016 via an agreement between the University of Andorra and the Confucius Institute Foundation in Barcelona, the centre has enrolled 430 students in Chinese courses across various levels, with about 50 registrations annually. It functions as an official exam centre for Chinese proficiency tests, organises summer programmes and study trips to China, and runs free cultural activities, including summer courses under the university's Aula d’Estiu scheme. During the pandemic lockdown, it provided free online classes for children, drawing nearly 80 participants.

Friday's event drew around 40 attendees for an introductory language workshop, a lecture, a tasting of Chinese dishes, and a Mahjong session, highlighting the traditional strategy game.

Wang Jinwei, director of the Confucius Institute Foundation in Barcelona, attended and expressed surprise at the sustained interest. "Andorra is a multilingual country. Despite its linguistic richness, people remain keen to explore Chinese culture and language. It has truly impressed me," she said.

Qiyao Jia, the teacher dispatched by the Confucius Institute and in charge of courses for the past four years, described the challenges of learning Chinese for Western students. "We use characters and a completely different writing system. Writing them is usually hardest, and the tones are complicated," she noted. Classes incorporate cultural elements like hotpot workshops, tea ceremonies, and Mahjong to make the experience more immersive.

Long-time student Esther Suils, who joined early after discovering the language in the Philippines, emphasised its demands. "It's not just speaking—you must write, master the sounds and tones. The grammar is complex too, very different from what we're used to," she said. She urged perseverance: "Don't give up when it gets tough. There are resources like music, podcasts, and videos to find your way."

While the programme has succeeded with adults, attracting younger people remains a challenge. Suils observed that few adolescents enrol, often favouring English or French. Wang Jinwei outlined plans to address this through open days, calligraphy workshops, and activities to present a more authentic image of China.