The fourth Stage of the “UPC Foreign Language Corner” for 2023 was successfully held, drawing over 700 students and teachers from diverse fields of study. Held on the evening of April 14th in the U-Shape Plaza and Room 346, the event focused on “How to overcome procrastination” and “A Journey to Mexico with Coco”. The hostesses for English Corner and Spanish Corner were Yu Jiarui, a graduate student majoring in English Interpreting, Li Junhan from Class 2202 of English major, and Zhao Hui, a Spanish teacher from Russian Language and Literature Department. Teachers from Department of Teaching Foreign Languages for Graduate Students, as well as David, a foreign teacher, also held exchanges and offered guidance on site. The event was hosted by Department of Teaching Foreign Languages for Graduate Students, Russian Language and Literature Department, the SFS General Office and Youth League Committee of SFS, with Class 2202 of English major and Class 357 of Spanish major undertaking it.
Full view of English Corner
Hosts for English Corner
The English Corner still adopted the pattern of group discussions among teachers and students. During the sessions, students were put into groups and had in-depth discussions under the theme of “How to overcome procrastination” with the help of teachers. Students on site all held the view that now if there is a common bad habit people hate but cannot get rid of, it is probably procrastination. All realized that most people are suffering from procrastination to varying degrees, and one of the manifestations is always to meet deadlines. For college students, procrastination has a negative impact not only on their study and life, but also on their mental health and personal growth over time.
The students discussed the topic heatedly and expressed their views on the causes, effects and solutions of procrastination. Despite a little drizzle, the atmosphere was electric. Students shared their experience in overcoming procrastination with each other including self-regulating, setting priorities and then working in a methodical manner, focusing without distraction, managing time and getting in a good routine. Only through these active measures can we get rid of procrastination and shake off resulting doldrums.
Teachers and students in group discussions in English Corner
Following the heated discussion was a fierce competition among six English fans who made impromptu speeches on the stage. Finally, Dong Haoran from School of Petroleum Engineering at UPC, emerged as the victor of the championship. He shared his experience, stating that students at UPC should take every opportunity to participate in a series of events involved in the Foreign Language Corner, which would build themselves into the youth of China in the new era.
The competition for the champion in a drizzle
Awarding Prize to the Champion of English Corner\
In Spanish Corner with the theme of “A Journey to Mexico with Coco”, our participants learned about Mexico’s location, national flag, capital and culture, as well as the origin and development of the Day of the Dead.
In the Spanish Corner, the students learned a lot about Spanish while snacking, reading relevant materials, dubbing Coco (an animated film), and working on their speaking skills by chatting with Nadia, an international student from Mexico. Eventually, Yin Xiaoyi from Class 2103 of School of Petroleum Engineering got the champion.
Teachers and students chatting with each other in Spanish Corner.
Awarding Prize to the Champion of Spanish Corner
Students and teachers in Spanish Corner
With the mission of “Practice Together, Progress Together”, the UPC Foreign Language Corner has been established to improve students’ speaking interest and skills, create a lively atmosphere for language practice and thus cultivate national pride and global perspectives among the students through group discussions between teachers and students.
