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Middle School Chinese Department: A Cultural Journey of "Dehua Porcelain" for G8 Non-Native Chinese Speakers

September 22, 2025

With the elegant touch of "Blanc de Chine," a chapter unfolded to experience the charm of porcelain art. In early September, amidst the crisp autumn weather, eighth-grade non-native Chinese students and their teachers gathered at the China Art Museum in Shanghai to participate in the cultural and artistic exhibition titled "The Essence of All Things: Blanc de Chine,The Chinese White·Dehua Porcelain." The event was co-organized by relevant departments of Quanzhou City and cultural tourism groups, with leaders from Dehua County and the art museum. Mr. Liu Lian, Principal of SHSID Middle and Primary School, was also in attendance.



The guided tour was led by national master and Dehua porcelain artist Mr. Lian Deli (renowned for his masterpiece "Myth"). Mr. Lian provided insightful explanations of each porcelain artwork, covering their creative backgrounds, technical characteristics, and cultural significance. Among the over two hundred ceramic treasures, the lifelike "Mu Guiying" and the jade-like "Myth" captivated everyone, leaving them in awe.



Following the tour, teachers and students participated in a hands-on porcelain sculpting activity called "Eight Techniques of Sculpting." Mr. Lian demonstrated the eight essential techniques of Dehua porcelain making— pinching, sculpting, carving, engraving, scraping, shaving, joining, and attaching, guiding students to mold their creative ideas using Dehua kaolin clay. Through the magical transformation from raw clay to finished forms, everyone not only experienced the ingenuity of traditional craftsmanship but also created unique porcelain sculptures reflecting their personal styles.



The activity left a deep impression on both teachers and students. Clothilde from class 8-8 shared in an interview, "I was thrilled to visit the exhibition with my class. The artworks were incredibly beautiful— the silk-like clothing and intricate hair details stood out to me." Althea from class 8-1 expressed, "The beauty of Dehua white porcelain amazed me and made me feel the charm of Chinese culture." The teachers of the non-native Chinese classes noted that witnessing the seeds of cultural appreciation sprout in their students was one of the most rewarding moments in education.



The event concluded with a group photo featuring Mr. Lian Deli and the attending leaders, marking a perfect end to the artistic journey.



However, the learning did not stop there. In subsequent Chinese classes, students continued to reflect on and study the culture of Dehua porcelain. The students have completed their cultural experience and refined their understanding through written form in the research handbook.This research handbook is meticulously designed by eighth-grade non-native Chinese teachers. It adopts a level-by-level challenge format from the first to the fifth stage. The earlier sections are completed in conjunction with exhibition content, encouraging students to translate the beauty they observe into practical written expression. The latter part involves interdisciplinary collaboration with geography, helping students better understand the past and present of porcelain culture. This research handbook enables students to deepen their comprehension of the context of white porcelain culture and fosters a profound appreciation for traditional Chinese craftsmanship.


Through hands-on creation and thoughtful reflection, the students experienced the exquisite texture of Dehua porcelain— "as white as snow, as smooth as jade"— and gained insight into the spirit of perseverance, innovation, and dedication embedded in traditional Chinese craftsmanship. May this experience plant a seed in their young hearts, allowing the flame of artistry from the millennia-old porcelain capital to continue shining on the world stage.


(Written by Xinyi Zhang

Pictures by Ruolin Yan, Teachers

Edited by Fan Chen, Shiyu Wu, Grace Grilmore)