On 24th September 2025, at the invitation of Lycée Saint-Paul de Lens, the Chinese teacher from the Confucius Institute d’Artois, Qiu Shuzhen, went to the high school and taught Chinese Paper Folding and Ba Duan Jin to the students who were taking the Chinese language courses. The activities lasted for more than two hours.
In the first lesson, Ms. Qiu began by discussing the Chinese writing of the word “panda”, using images to introduce China's unique animals: the red panda and the giant panda. She provided a concise overview of their habitats, behavioural habits, and panda-themed tourism. The class collectively learnt the idiom “good things come in pairs”. Subsequently, Ms. Qiu guided the students through paper-folding steps while addressing their queries about Chinese geography and natural features. All students successfully crafted charming panda portraits. Concluding the session, Ms. Qiu recommended the wildlife documentary Born in China to the students for further inquiry.
The second session featured an introduction to the Ba Duan Jin. Ms. Qiu provided a concise overview via PowerPoint presentation, covering the origins of the practice, an explanation of the movements, and the underlying philosophy of life. Subsequently, Ms. Qiu engaged students in conversation about hobbies and interests. Students then practised each Ba Duan Jin movement while reciting Chinese numerals. Following the session, students remained thoroughly engaged and eager for learning more. Ms. Qiu shared a video link of Ba Duan Jin with the local Chinese teacher and encouraged everyone to continue studying Chinese language and culture.
At half past three in the afternoon, this cultural experience concluded successfully.