Societies, Cultures and Modern Languages

The project was structured as a full-day immersion experience, combining cultural mediation and artistic expression:

• Morning: Intercultural and culinary workshop. Led by L1D students, a culinary workshop was organized to prepare a group snack.
• Afternoon: An artistic and linguistic showcase. This event marked the culmination of a long-term project carried out throughout the academic year. Our students presented a varied repertoire (including both set and improvised pieces), incorporating theatrical and choreographic elements. This format highlighted both the work done under in-person guidance and the groups’ independent efforts.

This initiative is central to the UFR SoCLE’s mission, as it addresses multifaceted challenges:

• Improving Language Skills: In addition to being entertaining, singing is also a powerful educational tool. It helps students learn pronunciation and master intonation and rhythm. The introduction of modern musical genres such as rap is particularly effective for practicing speaking speed, fluency, and vocabulary retention.
• Developing cultural intelligence: By mastering the art of "karaoke"—a staple social activity in China and Taiwan—our students acquire the social language skills that are crucial for their future international mobility and professional integration.
• Strengthening student life and a sense of belonging: By breaking down barriers between different academic levels, this activity has fostered a true learning community. This cross-level cohesion is a direct contributor to academic success and student retention.
• Enhancing Student Engagement: The project has transformed our students from passive learners into active participants in self-directed learning, emphasizing initiative and collaborative work.

The success of this event offers several opportunities to promote our institution:

• Community and Partnership Engagement: The collaboration with the AlloAsie association demonstrates the UFR’s openness to the local nonprofit network and its ability to engage external partners to enhance its educational offerings.
• Educational Innovation: This project highlights the vitality of the Department of Chinese Studies, which is able to offer "off-campus" learning methods that enhance the appeal of our disciplines.
• Sustainability and future prospects: The participants’ unanimous enthusiasm and the event’s organizational success make a strong case for holding this event annually, as it could become a flagship event on our department’s calendar.

The "Interclass Chinese Song Exchange" project fully achieved its objectives by combining academic rigor with cultural vitality. Not only did it provide an opportunity to assess complex language skills, but it also made a significant contribution to the quality of student life on campus.