Mastering one more language opens one more door to understand the world.  Since its birth, Confucius Institute at St. Joseph's University of Lebanon has been committed to helping Lebanese students, primary and secondary schools, as well as Chinese language lovers who are fond of Chinese culture, to step into that unique Oriental country and experience its unique cultural charm.  

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Confucius Institute at St. Joseph's University, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the Lebanese people for their care and love for Confucius Institute, and to all the students and parents of Confucius Institute for their trust and support.  Over the past 15 years, the number of registered students has exceeded 4,500.  Even with the current online courses, enrollment exceeds 100 students per semester.  It is because of your trust and support that our Confucius Institute has become more confident and firm in moving forward.  During the 15 years since the founding of the Confucius Institute, The Chinese side has sent 6 deans and 14 full-time Chinese teachers successively, and the maximum number of full-time Chinese teachers of the Confucius Institute in one year is 6.  Some of them have worked here for as long as a year or two and as long as seven years.  Even in the face of COVID-19, we still have three Chinese staff members working at the Confucius Institute.  They overcame all kinds of cultural differences and got along well with the foreign staff and the neighboring Lebanese people. In order to improve students' interest in learning and better grasp the content of learning, teachers have to elaborate the design of each lesson.  Every semester, we will organize a series of cultural activities in combination with traditional Chinese festivals, such as Confucius Institute Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, Lantern Festival...  The planning scheme of each activity must be discussed and deliberated repeatedly by the team before it can be determined.  Often one activity ended, another activity began to brew.  

To me, all encounters are gifts.  All encounters are treasures;  All encounters are learning.  We will continue to do our job as always, constantly explore new teaching methods, continue to improve the quality of teaching, in return for the trust and support of students!  On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the founding of Confucius Institute, I wish you all the best!  Wish our students progress in their studies!  May our Confucius Institute bring you more surprises!  May the tree of China-Lebanon friendship last forever!  

在孔院建院十五周年专刊上的讲话

张立英

多掌握一门语言就多推开一扇了解世界的大门。黎巴嫩圣约瑟夫大学孔子学院从诞生之日起就致力于帮助黎巴嫩的大中小学生和喜爱中国文化的汉语爱好者推开那扇们，走进那个与众不同的东方古国，亲身去感受她独特的文化魅力。

在圣约瑟夫大学孔子学院成立15周年之际，我要衷心感谢黎巴嫩各界人士对孔院的关心与厚爱，感谢孔院的学生的及家长的信任与支持。15年来，孔院的注册学员累计超过4500人。即便是目前的线上授课，注册人数也超过100人/学期。正是由于大家的信任与支持，才使我们孔院前进的脚步越发的自信与坚定。孔院成立的15年间，中方先后共派出6位院长，14位专职汉语教师，最多一年孔院的专职教师达到六人之多。他们之中，有人在这工作时间最短的一两年，最长的达七年之久。即便是在新冠疫情肆虐的情况下，我们孔院仍然有三位中方工作人员坚守岗位。他们克服了文化上的种种差异，与外方工作人员和周边的黎人友好相处。他们为学生取得的一点进步而欢欣，为学生学习退步而焦急。为了提高学生们的学习兴趣，更好的掌握所学内容，老师们对每一节课都要进行精心的设计。每个学期，我们会结合中国传统节日搞一系列的文化活动，孔院日，中秋节，元宵节...每次活动的策划方案都要经过团队的集体讨论，反复推敲，才能确定下来。往往一次活动结束了，另一次活动又开始酝酿了。

于我而言，所有的相遇都是礼物；所有的相遇都是宝藏；所有的相遇都是学习。我们会一如既往继续做好我们的工作，不断探究新的教学方法，继续提升教学质量，以回报同学们的信任与支持！在此孔院成立15周年之际，祝愿所有的相遇天高海阔，万事胜意！愿我们彼此心怀赤城，感恩过往。祝我们的学生学习进步！愿我们孔院给您带来更多的惊喜！祝中黎友谊之树长青!