BARCELONA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Students at the Barcelona Confucius Institute have enjoyed the experience of learning Mandarin through cooking workshops that combine language practice with traditional Chinese cuisine.
Once a month, groups of students ranging from children to adults and from beginners to intermediate learners visit the Dumpling Xi restaurant in Barcelona to learn how to make traditional Chinese dumplings, or jiaozi, while communicating in Chinese throughout the workshop.
During the session on the past weekend, some students carefully folded dumplings for the first time while others laughed as the filling spilled onto the table, all while practicing vocabulary and pronunciation with their teachers.
Xu Yingfeng, teaching coordinator at the Barcelona Confucius Institute, said the idea grew out of a desire to help students use the language beyond textbooks and classrooms.
"When we ask beginners why they want to learn Chinese, food and gastronomy are always among the most common answers," Xu told Xinhua. "So we wanted to combine language learning with something they genuinely enjoy."
At the start of each workshop, participants are introduced in Chinese to the history and traditions surrounding dumplings. Students who successfully answer questions in Mandarin can even win small prizes.
The cooking workshop is part of a broader effort by the institute to expand hands-on cultural learning activities. Teachers are also exploring workshops related to traditional Chinese painting, tai chi and classic games such as Mahjong.
Zhou Tiantian, a representative of Dumpling Xi, said the restaurant hopes the activity helps students connect language with everyday cultural experiences.
"Chinese food is not only about eating. It is also about sharing, family and communication," Zhou said.
For many students, the experience offers a closer connection to Chinese culture.
Eduard Torrent, a student at the institute, said learning about cuisine helps him better understand the social side of Chinese culture.
"This activity brings people together. It goes beyond language itself," he said.
Another student, Sofia Ponzetta, said she has been studying Chinese since childhood and has long been fascinated by the country's history and traditions.
"I've always enjoyed learning about other cultures, and Chinese culture interests me the most," she said.
For Chloe Alcaide, Chinese cuisine has already become a personal favorite. She said she hopes to visit China in person to further explore the language, food, and traditions.
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