Chinese visit a cultural lesson 10 July 2008
Chinese children are touring Lincoln schools playing traditional music and talking about their culture.
The 40-strong group, from the city's twin town Tangshan, are in the county for a two-week summer holiday.
Their trip has been arranged by Lincoln Christ's Hospital School, in Wragby Road, which has had links with the Hebei Tangshan Foreign Language School for around 10 years.
In addition to performing a musical show, the delegation demonstrated Chinese calligraphy and talked about their school life, during a visit to Myle Cross Junior School in Macaulay Drive.
What most amazed the Lincoln children was finding out about the length of the school day in Tangshan, which lasts for up to 15 hours.
Chris Williams, Lincoln Christ's Hospital school special projects co-ordinator, said: "It is fine to teach children about other cultures using formal methods like books and videos, but there is no substitute for the impact of seeing children from the other side of the world sharing experiences with you."
The students and their three teachers are staying on the University of Lincoln's Riseholme campus, north of Lincoln.
Another aspect of the visit is the participation of the group in the China Now programme, a series of events in local schools in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics.
Lincoln Christ's Hospital is one of 15 schools nationally to receive sponsorship from HSBC bank in connection with this scheme.
Other schools being visited by the Chinese group this week included Ermine, Westgate, Monks Abbey and St Faiths and St Martin's junior schools in Lincoln, Saxilby primary school and the Charles Baines school in Gainsborough.
Source: Lincolnshire Echo
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