胡平华女士在英国托尔盖特小学孔子课堂揭牌仪式上的致辞
Remarks by Madam Hu Pinghua at the Launch of the Confucius Classroom in Tollgate Primary School
2019年11月12日
November 12, 2019
尊敬的英国博林教育集团首席执行官汤姆·康宁先生,
尊敬的英国托尔盖特小学校长艾玛·奥康纳女士,
尊敬的英国伦敦南岸大学中医孔子学院英方院长许亦农教授,
Mr. Tom Canning,
Head Teacher Emma O’Connor,
Professor Xu Yinong,
女士们、先生们,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
同学们：
Dear Pupils:
上午好！
Good morning!
很高兴在美好的金秋时节出席托尔盖特小学孔子课堂揭牌仪式。首先我谨代表中国驻英国大使刘晓明对托尔盖特小学孔子课堂正式揭牌表示热烈祝贺！祝贺该课堂成为英国161所孔子课堂大家庭中的新成员。
It is a real delight to join you at the launch of the Confucius Classroom in Tollgate Primary School. On behalf of my husband, ambassador Liu Xiaoming to the UK, let me begin by extending my warmest congratulations. Welcome to the family of Confucius Classrooms in the UK and become its 161st member!
语言是人类交流和交往的重要工具。汉语和英语是世界上使用人数最多的两种语言。目前，在中国，约有4亿人在学习英语。许多中国的小学都开设了英语课。在英国中小学学习汉语的人越来越多。2018年5月我和我丈夫刘晓明大使访问了英国最北部的耶尔岛，耶尔岛在设得兰群岛，属于苏格兰。就是在这个人口不到1,000人的耶尔岛上的中耶尔初中也开设了孔子课堂。我和刘大使就是专程从伦敦2次转飞机，再换乘轮渡，再乘车到这个岛上，为中耶尔初中孔子课堂揭牌。
Language is important in communication and exchanges. Chinese and English are the two most widely spoken languages in the world. In China, there are about 400 million people learning English, and many primary schools are offering English course. Here in Britain, more and more primary and middle school pupils are learning Chinese. Even in Yell, one of the Isles of Shetland Island in the farthest north of Scotland, where the population is less than a thousand, there is a Confucius Classroom. I remember vividly the launch of that Confucius Classroom in May 2018. My husband Ambassador Liu Xiaoming and I made two flights connections before taking a ferry boat to arrive at Shetland Island, and from there we were driven in a car to Yell Isle and launched a Confucius Classroom in Mid Yell Junior High School.
可能有人会问，我们怎么到这么远的地方，怎么在那也有孔子课堂。事情的由来是，这个学校的校长给刘大使写信，说他一年前访问了中国，他看到中国是一个充满活力的国家，他认为，中国代表未来，代表21世纪。学会中文，就掌握了通往未来的钥匙。他希望他的学生学习中文，抓住未来。
People may ask why we went there and why there is a Confucius Classroom there. The story is the headmaster wrote a letter to my husband saying that he visited China a year ago and found that China was so dynamic, and he believed that China represents the future and the 21st century. One, who has command of the Chinese language will have a key to the future. He hopes pupils from his school could learn Chinese and seize the future.
现在英国的孔子学院总数达到30所，孔子课堂161间。在英国孔子学院和孔子课堂学习汉语人数超过19万人次。英国孔子学院、孔子课堂和学习汉语人数在欧洲位居第一。
There are now 30 Confucius Institutes and 161 Confucius Classrooms here in Britain, offering Chinese language course to more than 190,000 people. Britain has more Confucius Institutes, more Confucius Classrooms and more people learning the Chinese language than any other European country.
语言是文化的载体，也是一个国家和文化的基本要素。同学们在托尔盖特小学孔子课堂不仅学习汉语，而且通过学习汉语，了解既古老又现代的中华文明、中国文化和中国人民。通过学习和了解对方的语言和文化，增进彼此了解和友谊，了解和体验两国文化魅力，倾听来自花木兰和爱丽丝故乡的美丽传奇故事，成为中英两国人民友好的小使者。
Language is a vehicle of culture. It is the basic element of a nation and a culture. At the Confucius Classroom in Tollgate Primary School, you will not only learn the Chinese language. Through the language, you will learn more about the Chinese civilization, about its ancient charm and youthful vitality. You will also learn more about the Chinese people. You are best positioned to understand the stories of both Mulan and Alice, and appreciate the charm of both Chinese and British culture. I hope you will become little ambassadors for China-UK friendship!
同学们还将在这里体验中国书法、武术、音乐、歌舞等中国艺术，拓展自身才艺。托尔盖特小学孔子课堂将给同学们带来不同的体验。
Moreover, you will also have the opportunity to learn traditional Chinese arts such as calligraphy, martial art, music and dance. I am sure this Confucius Classroom will give you a most unique and enjoyable experience.
期望同学们在这里快乐学习，健康成长，不断进步！
In conclusion, I wish all the pupils will enjoy school life and grow up to be well-rounded citizens!
最后，祝托尔盖特小学孔子课堂开课顺利、成功！
And I wish the Confucius Classroom in Tollgate Primary School success!
谢谢！
Thank you!