Embracing Chinese Culture: Supporting the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Through Language Learning!

Good morning or 你好 Nǐ hǎo (ni hao)! Basic and more complicated Chinese phrases were practiced by Mr. Grzegorz Żak during an inspiring 20-hour Chinese language course at UITM. The lessons, conducted by the native speaker of Chinese, Qinghua Zhang-Żyradzka, MA, took place as part of this year’s auction for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity.

Mr. Grzegorz Żak’s journey into the world of the Chinese language began a few years ago as part of his Asian studies at the Institute of the Middle and Far East, Faculty of International and Political Studies of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. “I am interested in the region of East Asia and during the auction for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, I was looking for items related to China, Japan, and Korea. This is how I came across the Chinese language course auction at the University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszów. I took part in the auction and it turned out that I won. I was very happy because I already had two years of experience with this language” – says Mr. Grzegorz Żak, a course participant.

The Chinese language course was expertly conducted by Qinghua Zhang-Żyradzka, MA, and a native speaker of Chinese at UITM. I was delighted to have the opportunity to refresh my knowledge of the language under her guidance. Mrs. Qinghua Zhang-Żyradzka’s dedication to sharing her profound knowledge of China and the Chinese language was truly admirable, making each class a joy to attend. Her passion for teaching motivated me to continue learning and exploring this fascinating language and culture – added Mr. Grzegorz.

Grzegorz’s ambition was evident throughout the course, making it a pleasure to work with him, especially since he already had a solid foundation in the Chinese language. Mr. Żak’s commitment to improving his pronunciation and listening comprehension was impressive, and beyond that, he showed great enthusiasm in delving into the rich culture of China. Thanks to the course, he had the opportunity to explore various aspects of Chinese culture, including traditions, historical monuments, and the delightful Chinese cuisine – says Qinghua Zhang-Żyradzka, MA.

Mr. Grzegorz believes that the English Philology with Chinese language course is a promising direction for young people. With trade and cultural cooperation with China continually growing, he sees this field of study as a pathway to the future. Having experienced the classes with Ms. Qinghua Zhang-Żyradzka, he even dreams of attending the weekly Chinese language classes at UITM again in the future.

Mr. Grzegorz Żak’s dedication to supporting the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity by embracing the Chinese language reflects the growing importance of cultural and economic ties with China. With opportunities like the English Philology with Chinese program, young people can be well-equipped to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.