Chinese Ambassador visits St. John’s Academy

Students address the function in Chinese while teacher Kim Douglas looks on
Students address the function in Chinese while teacher Kim Douglas looks on

The Chinese Ambassador from the People’s Republic of China to the Commonwealth of Dominica, Li Jiangning, made a special visit to the St. John’s Academy in Portsmouth on Tuesday.

St. John’s Academy was the first school in Dominica to include Chinese Mandarin in the curriculum and the ambassador’s visit was to observe the progress of this initiative and donate books and small gifts to the students.

He disclosed that the Government of the People’s Republic of China will be donating $1,000 to the most outstanding student at the end of the school year.

The gathering was hosted by Chinese teacher, Kim Douglas, who also spoke on the need to deepen people to people exchanges and cultural ties as both countries gear up to celebrate 10 years of diplomatic ties.

Douglas poses with Ambassador Li
Douglas poses with Ambassador Li

He also took the opportunity to wish Chinese people the world over a happy Chinese New Year as they get ready to reign in the Year of the Horse.

Principal of the school, Dr. Juliana Magloire, highlighted the need to equip students with relevant skills and make them more competitive in the globalised world.

In his address to the students, Ambassdor Li, stressed the importance of linguistic skills while recalling his own experiences learning the English language.

Students from forms one and two have been taking Chinese lessons and both classes did short performances and sang Chinese songs.

Some students also introduced themselves in Chinese and explained why they think the Chinese language is important to them.

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16 Comments

  1. kylie
    January 30, 2014

    Great initiative from all parties. However, in the future, it wouldb ea good idea to try to get educated Chinese teachers ( I mean Chinese people who actually know how to teach Chinese) to come to teach these Chinese classes. Not that I am downplaying the skills of foreigners who learn Chinese, but I know that Chinese is a very difficult language to learn; in addition to the sentnece structures Chinese language also has a series of TONE structures. Every word has a particular sound, there fore your voice has to be going up and down like piano keys. Therefore its much better to have people who are native speakers in this language and who have experience in teaching this language.

    But great idea for this school and other schools around Dominica. China is developing quickly. The Chinese language is definitely an assett.

  2. 4CARS
    January 30, 2014

    It has started and no turning back. They will lead you all by the nose. Caribbean people are the most foolish people on the planet. Why do we need to do their biddings? Anyway, let me hush my mouth tan. Linton and the UWP, i hope all you will put a stop to that madness with this Chinese influence in my Country. Please don’t disappoint.

  3. January 30, 2014

    that my school. according to my teacher when the world sit we stand , when the world stand we stand out wooooow ST.John’s Academy

  4. Anonymous
    January 30, 2014

    At least the SJA will be helping our youths to understand and co-exist with our chinese brothers rather than encouraging them to take up guns to kill them as some people would like us do

  5. Qwem ling Hui
    January 29, 2014

    What is the hoopla about? Dominicans have for years been speaking and writing their own,unique Kweyol language. Much research have been done. Books, dictionaries, have been written. The Kweyol language is integral to our way of life.

    Yet no teaching of Kweyol as a language or anything in our schools. Chinese mandarin more important on St. John’s school curriculum than our Kweyol.

    • DonK
      January 29, 2014

      On the world stage? Yes…it is.

    • Sac Sot
      January 29, 2014

      Yes it is, …….

      20% of the world’s population or 1 in every 5 persons on this rock called earth speaks Chinese. China is quickly becoming the world’s most powerful nation so unless you want to have you children sit under a mango tree for the rest of their lives unable to do business with the Chinese, then go ahead a preach your ……. about kweyol as a language which really isn’t or maybe is which less than 20 million people speak.

  6. Jaime Lewis
    January 29, 2014

    Congratulations to Dr. Magloire and her staff for expanding the students’ view of the world. Including a language other than French and Spanish in the curriculum is to be applauded. Keep up the good work!

  7. jane messam
    January 29, 2014

    This is great for the students. The world has moved on and its people must adhere to the changes with open arms.

  8. Do Not edit
    January 29, 2014

    That is amazing and very positive

  9. anonymous
    January 29, 2014

    :-| great concept for the future of our schools
    but its time we move away from these people who think the town of Portsmouth belongs to them

  10. Britbob
    January 29, 2014

    So proud of this … THis is how we have to move forward in Dominica and how the the country will move forward. Well done Dr. Magloire and Kim Douglas. God Bless you and the school.

  11. Great
    January 29, 2014

    All the way with Portsmoouth people, Forward we go.That’s a good move to learn the chinese language.We will be able to understand them and forge better relationship with them.Good work Kim and Cabral.Good innovative for Portsmouth, we really y need to get back Portsmouth on the map.Thanks Kim.

  12. Anonymous
    January 29, 2014

    Way to go St. John’s Academy. Lead the way!!!
    Why is it not strange that there are no other comments on positive stories like these. Have our people become so consumed with negativity and bringing down others that we just skip these stories looking for the negative ones to comment??? I tell you what, with that attitude we can change all governments we want, we will never get anywhere. Soooo sad!!!!

    • HOPPER
      January 29, 2014

      while I understand what you talking about but your self did not make a positive comment towards the news item.
      let me congratulate the St. Johns academy on being the open bats where the Chinese language is concern at our schools. thumbs up to Mr Douglas on his return and decision to assist the school in this regard.

  13. Anonymous
    January 29, 2014

    Cool! That’s the way forward to Kim and St. John’s Academy.

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