Chinese Language Day at EIB Grenelle: A day of discovery and celebration

Each year, EIB Grenelle organises the Chinese Language Day, a key event that immerses students from Petite Section to CM2 in Chinese culture. In addition to French and English, children begin learning Mandarin from CE2 onwards, with two hours of lessons per week. This year, under the sign of the Year of the Snake, the school offered a total immersion into Chinese traditions through fun, artistic and culinary activities. 

Sports and cultural activities 

Students had the opportunity to try various traditional Chinese games such as ring toss, ping-pong, chopstick throwing and the chicken race. These activities sparked enthusiasm and friendly competition among participants. 

On the cultural side, several workshops were organised to allow children to explore traditional Chinese arts. From calligraphy to crafting snake-shaped paper cut-outs, creating Chinese stamps and painting on plates, each student was able to express their creativity and learn more about this ancestral art. 

A culinary journey into the heart of China 

One of the highlights of the day was the dumpling-making workshop, where students got hands-on before enjoying their own creations. At the same time, a demonstration of the famous Peking duck recipe captivated everyone. The tea ceremony was also a special moment, where students learned the gestures of this tradition. 

A colourful parade 

The grand finale of the day was the parade held around the school. All dressed in red and traditional costumes, students proudly paraded with a magnificent Chinese dragon, which they had crafted themselves. 

Enthusiastic feedback 

Students shared their excitement: "Today was amazing because we made dumplings and got to eat them too. They were delicious!", said one of them. Others enjoyed the calligraphy workshop or the variety of dishes offered. 

From the teaching staff, Victoria Chivallier, Head of Student Life and Administration, explained: "We want children to understand Chinese culture and learn to appreciate cultural diversity through food, games, music and traditions." 

Parents also praised the initiative: "It’s a fantastic event that children look forward to every year. They discover new flavours, new games and share a unique moment with their classmates and families," said William, a father of a CE1 student. 

A total immersion in Chinese culture 

Ying Wang, a Chinese teacher, summed up the objective of the day: "Chinese Language Day at EIB Grenelle is a unique experience where children feel as if they were in China. This year, we organised workshops around games, cuisine and Chinese culture to provide students with an immersive and enriching experience." 

The event was a great success, demonstrating EIB Grenelle’s commitment to promoting cultural diversity and language learning in our international bilingual school. 

See you next year for another edition!