July 26th, Tsinghua University launched its first English Summer Camp. Freshmen of year 2003 participate this grand activity after a month’s summer break. The opening ceremony was held in the gym Monday morning. Miss Deng Yaping, a famous table tennis player and alumna of Tsinghua University was present at the meeting and gave an inspiring speech. Professor Gong Ke, Vice President of Tsinghua University, Professor Luo Lisheng, Head of Foreign Languages Department, Scott Hensley, foreigner teacher representative, and representatives of teachers and students gave their speeches respectively. The whole opening ceremony was in English. Professor Hu Heping, director of Academic Registry, presided at the meeting. Students of year 2003 wore specially designed T-shirt in four colors: red, blue, white and yellow.

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY ENGLISH SUMMER CAMP 2004 is now a compulsory course for students of non-English majors of year 2003. It aims at improving students’ communicational skills in English, their abilities of self-learning and comprehensive language and cultural understanding, so that they can study and work better in an environment of globalization.

This camp goes after the examples of Oxford, Harvard and Stanford. It is groundbreaking both in model and scale.

In his speech, Vice President GONG Ke pointed out that while emphasizing the learning of English was a Tsinghua tradition, an activity like this was the first time. He said, “people thought foreign language was only a tool, however, it was more than that and learning a language required us to learn its culture and history as well”. He emphasized the fact that using language was a matter of practice, and therefore, “the University has a high expectation on the camp in spite of the limited time”.

When Deng Yaping walked to the stand in white Tsinghua T-shirt, the students clapped and cheered. Deng explained the importance of English in international communication based on her personal experience. “In 1997 I was appointed as a member of the Athletes Commission of the International Olympic Committee. The I.O.C. has two language requirements; you either know French or English. Back then I didn’t know any English so I had to take an interpreter along with me.” “During the meetings instead of feeling like a part of the meeting or as an inside member I felt more like an outsider and so I was determined to learn English because I also think I’m not only representing myself but representing China, Asia and 3rd world developing countries.” With this she encouraged students never to surrender, keep determined when learning English. She ended her speech by quoting Mr. Antonio Samaranch, the honorary president of the I.O.C., “you have the key to the world, you just have to find it.” “My key is English, and it’s the same key for everyone here,” she said.

More than forty Chinese teachers from Foreign Language Department, and thirty-eight foreigner teachers and thirty-five foreigner volunteers take part in this camp. More than 100 graduate and undergraduate of English major volunteer to provide assistance during the camp.

This camp divided students by administrative classes instead of English level tests. In order to bring out students interests and passion and get them involved in various camp activities, teachers and volunteers designed a series of activities such as drama, music, debate, speech, spelling bee and sports.

Reported by Gu Shuxia

Translated by Feng Yuanyuan