Traditional culture nurtures and broadens horizons
- By staff reporter Jiao Feng
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Growing with Confidence
Zhang Ai is a student leader in the school's seventh grade. She speaks clearly and succinctly, and excels at giving presentations. She started dancing and singing classes in the first grade and studied Peking Opera in Grade Four. She is, along with certain fellow students, in the school's Peking Opera group. In 2014 the group performed in France at the 50th anniversary celebration of diplomatic ties between China and France. A student leader usually helps teachers organize various activities. In addition to being busy with her studies, therefore, Zhang is also active in other ways at school. But she doesn't find extracurricular activities any hardship. "I thought of studying Peking Opera as an enlargement of my hobbies. Performing on stage has taught me to keep a cool head when facing challenges, and has helped my confidence when handling complicated problems," Zhang said.
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Professionals from Beijing Jingju Theater Company not only teach artistry to students in the Peking Opera group, but also impress the children with their hard-working attitude. |
Xu Yifei is one year Zhang's junior. But she has been a member of the Peking Opera group for more than two years, and taken part in more performances than Zhang. "I was terrified of making mistakes at first, but not anymore," Xu said. "I want to display myself to perfection on the stage or in front of a camera." Stardom has always been her dream. Traditional Chinese opera has given her the confidence to pursue it.
Zhao Changfu, a director of the principal's office, is in charge of the school's extracurricular activities. She spoke of one of her students, a girl whose academic performance seemed below her potential. Behind in her class, the student suffered from low esteem and was withdrawn. She had a good singing voice and joined the Peking Opera group in Grade Seven. After just two years she became a competent performer within the group. Memorizing lines – a staple requirement of this art form – greatly enhanced her memory and so improved her studying aptitude. She made such excellent progress that she eventually joined a professional troupe.
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Zhenquyuan Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage serves as a platform for students' deeper understanding of Chinese history and traditional Chinese culture. |
"Exams are not the sole criterion for evaluating a student's capabilities. Everyone has their strong points and should be encouraged to bring them into full play," Zhao said. "Each child is a good seed. As teachers, we must plant them in the appropriate soil." She pointed to pictures students had drawn hanging on the corridor walls, and the calligraphic couplets they had painted on classroom and office doors, saying, "All of us need approbation as well as a platform to present ourselves. For a student, drawing or calligraphy achievements are no less significant than outstanding academic performances, and equally worthy of pride and commendation."
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