^{On the morning of April 3, 2026, “Free Talk English Corner · Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop (Paper-Cutting)” was held in Room 234 of the Student Activity Center on North Campus. The event marked the inaugural session organized by the Oral English Training Center of the Foreign Languages Department, as well as the third session of the Student Growth Workshop and the fourth session of the Global Youth Dialogue. Faculty representatives from the Foreign Languages Department, Zhou Xueying and Zhao Dan, as well as those from the School of International Education, Jiang Xin, Liu Fengming, Pan Sitong, attended the event.}

^{A total of 48 students, including 35 Chinese and 13 international participants, participated in the workshop, which focused on the theme “Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Spring Festival.” Combining English-speaking practice with hands-on experience in traditional paper-cutting, the activity provided students with an opportunity to improve their oral communication skills while gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese intangible cultural heritage and promoting cross-cultural exchange.}

^{01 Ice-Breaking & Kick-off | Spring Festival Keywords}

^{At the beginning of the event, students signed in and were invited to write down a keyword for their deepest impressions of the Spring Festival. Words such as “family,” “reunion,” “celebration,” “red packets,” and “fireworks” quickly emerged, sparking the first round of group discussions.}  

^{The founder of this initiative, Zhou Xueying, delivered the opening address. She warmly welcomed participants to “Free Talk English Corner: We Speak — We Connect.” She noted that this idea originated in this year’s Spring Festival— a moment of reflection on China’s rich intangible cultural heritage and the importance of sharing it with the world. “China is a country of numerous time-honored cultural traditions worth spreading across the globe,” she said. “I hope this event helps build students’ awareness and skills to tell China’s story in English.” Zhou Xueying extended heartfelt thanks to the School of International Education for the support. She also expressed gratitude to the English major student volunteers, whose meticulous efforts ensured that every detail of the event was perfectly executed.} 

^{Participants then received ice-breaking theme cards. Some groups discussed topics such as “What is your favorite season?”, while others elaborated on their Spring Festival keywords. Through self-introductions and light-hearted exchanges, the atmosphere gradually became lively and engaging. Participants quickly became familiar with one another, laying the foundation for subsequent activities.}

^{02 Cultural Dialogue | Spring Festival Memories}

^{During the “Cultural Dialogue” session, Chinese and international students engaged in open discussions centered on “Spring Festival Memories.” An international student from Ethiopia introduced the unique features of his country’s New Year calendar, which aroused great interest among Chinese participants. In turn, Chinese students shared personal experiences such as staying up late on New Year’s Eve. Through Q&A and storytelling exchanges, students deepened their understanding of diverse cultural traditions while practicing English in meaningful contexts.}

^{03 Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop | Experiencing the Spring Festival}

^{The paper-cutting workshop, as the core segment of the event, became the highlight. A Chinese student representative first introduced Spring Festival customs and the cultural significance of paper-cutting in English, explaining traditions such as pasting the character “Fu” (fortune) upside down symbolizing the arrival of good fortune and the symbolic meanings of the twelve zodiac animals. Each group then received paper-cutting materials with patterns ranging from simple window designs to more intricate zodiac figures.}

^{As participants worked on their creations, they communicated and assisted one another in English. Guidance and cultural explanations were exchanged naturally, allowing collaboration and learning to take place simultaneously. The activity provided participants with a hands-on experience of traditional culture while reinforcing language use in authentic situations.} 

^{04 Showcase | One Paper-Cutting, One Story}

^{Following the workshop, several students volunteered to present their works on stage. Participants introduced their paper-cuttings, gave them titles, and explained their meanings. One international student created her zodiac animal, the monkey, while another named his work “Reunion” after completing his first cut-out design. A Chinese student presented a flower-and-butterfly pattern, expressing wishes for joy and renewal. These presentations demonstrated not only their creativity but also their ability to express cultural ideas in English.}

^{05 Fun Challenge | Pictionary & Quiz}

^{The event then moved into an interactive “Fun Challenge” session. Activities such as “Pictionary” and an “Intangible Cultural Heritage Quiz” were designed to integrate knowledge of Spring Festival customs, paper-cutting, and bilingual expression. Participants actively engaged in the games, with winners receiving small prizes. The lively and supportive atmosphere encouraged participation, reducing the pressure associated with second-language communication and further enhancing interaction among students.}

^{06 Closing & Group Photo | We Speak — We Connect}

^{At the conclusion of the event, the host delivered a brief summary and expressed appreciation to the teachers from the School of International Education and the College of Humanities and Law for their support. All participants then gathered for a group photo. Holding their paper-cuttings and standing alongside newly made friends, students captured a memorable moment of cross-cultural exchange and shared experience.}

^{07 Conclusion | Let Language Be the Bridge; Let Heritage Connect the World}

^{The Free Talk English Corner · Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop received highly positive feedback from participants. Students noted that the event was well-organized, engaging, and conducive to both language learning and cultural understanding. Through the workshop, Chinese students acted as cultural presenters, introducing traditional customs and sharing stories in English, while international students participated as active learners and contributors, experiencing Chinese culture firsthand and sharing their own traditions. The event effectively demonstrated that language serves as a bridge for communication, while intangible cultural heritage fosters deeper connections among diverse communities. The Oral English Training Center of Foreign Languages Department will continue to organize similar themed activities to promote meaningful dialogue and cultural exchange in the future.}

^{Participants’ Feedback:}

^{I really enjoyed this event. It was very well-organized, and everything flowed smoothly from start to finish. The content was interesting and useful, and the speakers were engaging and knowledgeable. I also appreciated the friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It made me feel comfortable to participate and share my thoughts. Overall, I left the event feeling inspired and happy that I joined. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.                          ——Saparberdiyeva Altynay, Turkmenistan}

^{It was a truly wonderful experience to share our traditions and learn about yours. Even though we come from different places, today showed that we have so much in common. Thank you for the great energy and the beautiful memories.——Muhammad Mammadov, Azerbaijan}

^{“Absolutely fantastic! The whole event was brilliantly designed — every part was so interesting, and I truly learned a great deal. I loved it so much! I also really appreciated the workshop, which brought together Chinese and international students to share our cultures and perspectives.” ——Ling Chen, China}

^{“This paper-cutting workshop was an absolute delight and a unique cultural experience! I loved how the event combined English practice with intangible cultural heritage — talking about Spring Festival memories in small groups was fun and relaxing, and the paper-cutting activity was surprisingly engaging even for a beginner like me. The interactive sticker game also made everyone more willing to share ideas. It was a perfect mix of learning, creativity, and cultural exchange.” ——Wang Cailing, China}

^{In this activity, Chinese students became cultural storytellers — introducing paper-cutting, explaining zodiac signs, sharing Spring Festival memories, and confidently telling China’s story in English. International students became cultural explorers — crafting their first window decorations, observing each custom with care, and sharing their own festival traditions.}

^{Language is a bridge, and intangible cultural heritage is a bond. The Oral English Training Center of the Department of Foreign Languages will continue to organize more themed workshops, ensuring that every conversation is meaningful and every culture is recognized.}

^{Free Talk English Corner · Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop}

^{We Speak — We Connect.}

^{See you at the next session!}