Mandarin Class Field Trip

SMLC’s Mandarin Language students had a golden opportunity to learn and discover more about Chinese history and culture during their visit to Nirvana Memorial Park and Sak Dato Temple here in Semenyih. This has been a great chance which was highly anticipated by the class. A majority of work which has been taken place in classes were writing Chinese characters; hence, the language students were in awe to see the evolution of Chinese characters from the first Chinese dynasty till the current Chinese characters that the students are learning. 



Briefing by tour guide upon arrival at Nirvana Memorial Park 



Students learning Chinese History and Culture

Besides admiring the very well carved traditional Chinese characters and calligraphy etched onto the stones, the tour guide at Nirvana Memorial Park introduced us to some Chinese philosophies along with some China history. He explained to us the meanings of the quotes that were carved on the stones as well as the reason behind them. He also introduced to the class on some Chinese culture such as their burial customs, religious beliefs and many more. 



Some of the stones at Stone Gallery

At the Sak Dato Temple, the students got to see and discover more on Buddhism and admired the architecture of a temple built 140 years ago. 



Group photo at Sak Dato Temple



Group photo at Nirvana Memorial Park

Thus, from the field trip students had the chance to familiarise themselves with the history of Chinese calligraphy and characters, which allowed the class to have insight and understand by incorporating the lessons they learned during classes. By introducing the students to the cultures and customs of the Chinese, it deepened their understanding of the origins, evolution and reasoning for what they learn in classes and hence, magnifying the importance to study and understand the language as it is in a way preserving the Chinese culture.