June 25th, 2012 - The Second Summer School of Chinese Language Teachers in Lombardy Area was grandly kicked-off. The five-day long training arranged tight teaching courses and practices where Chinese and Italian professors contributed what they can offer while students said that they've benefited a lot and spoke highly of the training.

Hosted by Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters, undertaken by the Confucius Institute at the University of Milan and co-organized by University of Milano �C Bicocca, the Summer School is designed to meet ever-increasing demands of local Chinese language teachers in Lombardy Area and effectively elevate teachers' capabilities in real Chinese teaching activities.

At 9:00am on June 25, the Opening Ceremony was staged at University of Milano �C Bicocca. Prof. Massimo Vedovelli, President of Siena University of Foreign Studies and linguistic expert, Prof. Lavitrano Marialuisa, Deputy President of University of Milano �C Bicocca for international relations, Prof. Alessandra Lavagnino, Italian Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Milan, Prof. Jin Zhigang, Chinese Director of the CI, Prof. Barenghi Mario, Director of the Department of Education of University of Milano �C Bicocca and Prof. Banfi Emanuele, linguistic expert of University of Milano �C Bicocca, among other officials and experts attended and addressed the Opening Ceremony.

In order to ensure smooth and effective delivery of the Summer School, the organizer had made comprehensive and detailed arrangements and preparations: in three months of planning and arrangement in the run up to the events, the organizer invited three experts in teaching Chinese as a foreign language based on the experience of last year's Summer School and suggestions of trainees: Associate professor Liu Chaoying and associate professor Zhao Yanfeng of Peking University and Chang Aijun, a teacher of International School of Beijing No. 55 Middle School. Each expert provided 8-hour lecture on business Chinese, kids Chinese and Chinese for middle school students respectively. Beyond that, the Summer School also invited Prof. Giusti, an expert in paedeutics (children education from the perspective of multi-culture) and Ms. Barbara Bisetto (compilation and review of international Chinese language teaching materials), lecturer of Chinese linguistics of University of Milano �C Bicocca, Prof. Massimo Vedovelli (status quo of and language policies for foreign language teaching in Italy), President and linguistic expert and Prof. Pierangela Diadori (theory and practice for language teaching) of Siena University of Foreign Studies.

On June 29, trainees attended the closing ceremony excitedly. Twenty-eight trainees were conferred with graduation certificate based on attendance rate, including Training Certificate for International Chinese Language Teachers issued by Hanban and Graduation Certificate of Summer School for Chinese Language Teachers issued by the Confucius Institute at the University of Milan. In addition, they were also presented with many teaching materials sent by Confucius Institute Headquarters. Attendees highly praised the training, rated it as "better than expectation", "exceptionally great" and appreciated "hospitable and excellent arrangement of the Confucius Institute".

We believe young Chinese teachers will follow our enthusiasm and excellence on the road to promote Chinese language and culture across the Apennine Peninsula, thus benefiting numerous Chinese language learners in the future.