Posted 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2025
UWL language students connect with the local community, celebrating Chinese traditions and the arrival of spring
As the world rang in the Lunar New Year at the start of 2025, more than a billion people welcomed the Year of the Snake. It was a time to celebrate anticipated arrival of spring and gather with loved ones.
Associate Professor of Chinese Hongying Xu couldn’t make it over 7,000 miles home across the ocean. "I miss the Chinese New Year so much — the big atmosphere leading up to it, the tons of preparations for the celebration. And, of course, the big feast with the most important people in my life."
However, she has found enjoyment in engaging in new traditions with her Chinese Studies students. Throughout the spring semester, Xu has been leading her 100- and 200-level Chinese language students into the community to share the richness of Chinese traditions with local school students and people in the La Crosse area Chinese community through songs, presentations, crafts and games.
“People should take the time to explore the interesting culture around them in La Crosse, broaden their cultural views and branch out to wider communities to understand the beautiful traditions and people just outside their backdoor,” says UWL Junior Ethan Schaller, a Chinese Studies minor.
Xu says that while students gain an academic understanding of the Chinese language and culture in class, they need opportunities to apply their knowledge outside of the classroom. "Visiting high schools and community events gives my students the opportunity to share what they know, which in turn gives them more motivation to learn," she says.
At the end of April five students from a Chinese Studies 202 class visited Central High School to present a panel discussion about their experiences in the UWL Chinese Studies program and how they see learning Chinese connected to their future. Students also conducted Kahoot and Ping Pong games with the high school students.
In January, the class visited Logan High School and celebrated Chinese New Year with students filled with trivia, New Year’s crafts, and presentations on Chinese folklore. They also visited a level one Chinese class at Central High School at the beginning of April.
“Being able to share the importance of this culture and language with a younger audience has made me feel more connected with the language and culture as well,” says Schaller.
Xu’s students also showcased their talents at the Chinese New Year Gala, held at the Cappella Performing Arts Center in January. Over 160 attendees enjoyed a performance by UWL Chinese students, who adapted a popular Chinese song to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.
The Chinese New Year Gala gives students a great chance to mingle with Chinese community while using what they have learned in class, says Xu. “It also really helps them to see a purpose and meaning of learning a different language and culture,” she says.