On May 17, 2023, the "First Academic Conference on Chinese Culture and Language under the Belt and Road Initiative" was successfully held in Istanbul, Turkey. The event was organized by Istanbul University and garnered significant attention. Among the distinguished attendees were Consul-General Jian Wu from the People's Republic of China in Istanbul and Professor Hayati Develi, Dean of Istanbul University's Faculty of Literature. The conference brought together nearly a hundred participants, including Eyüp Sarita, Director of Department of Chinese Language and Literature of Istanbul University, as well as scholars and students specializing in Sinology from various universities across Turkey.
A notable highlight of the conference was the insightful presentation delivered by Huijing Zhang, the director of the Confucius Institute at Yeditepe University. Her presentation, titled "The Practical Compilation of the Chinese Language Textbook 'Chino Paso a Paso' in the Spanish-Speaking Region: Exploring the Synergistic Relationship between the 'General Curriculum Outline for International Chinese Language Teaching' and Chinese Language Textbook Development," captivated the audience. Drawing on the extensive experience gained during the lengthy development process of the acclaimed Chinese language textbook "Progressive Chinese" in the Spanish-speaking region, Huijing Zhang elucidated how the "International curriculum for Chinese language Education" and the HSK examination syllabus can be effectively incorporated into textbooks. She discussed the influential role of these guidelines while also acknowledging the constraints they impose on textbook creation. Additionally, she highlighted the convenience afforded by the revised edition of the"International curriculum for Chinese language Education" and the updated HSK examination syllabus. Based on her practical expertise, Huijing Zhang provided valuable feedback for the future revision of these guidelines and offered insightful recommendations for Chinese language textbook users.
Following the conclusion of her presentation, an engaging exchange took place between Huijing Zhang and the attending scholars and students. Discussions revolved around various aspects of Chinese language textbook development and practical teaching approaches.
in addition to the overarching theme of teaching Chinese as a foreign language, the academic conference encompassed broader subjects such as the convergence of language and culture along the Silk Road and contemporary research on China. The conference proved to be a reservoir of profound knowledge and fruitful interactions, leaving all participants enriched by the experience.