During the summer break, in order to explore the current market demand for voluntary language services and improve their quality, The CFLC “Linguistic Ambition” Summer Social Practice Group visited Xiamen Jinhongxin Exhibition Co. and Xiagang Sub-district Integrated Household Service Center for surveys and interviews.
The social practice group poses for a photo.
On July 8, the CFLC social practice group arrived at the office of Xiamen Jinhongxin Exhibition Co. Led by Ms. Zhang Yanting, head of the training program for foreign language volunteers at the 20th Xiamen International Stone Exhibition, the group conducted interviews to find out more about the recruitment of foreign language volunteers during the exhibition. According to Ms. Zhang, in recent years, stone exhibitions have seen an overall upward trend in the number of foreign language volunteers, especially for the Japanese and Korean languages, in which volunteers are often in short supply. Although the skill requirements for volunteers for stone exhibition are not very high, recruitment of foreign language volunteers is not easy due to the high turnover rates of volunteers. In addition, due to the service nature of voluntary work and the diversity of exhibition-related jobs, employers always stress the work attitude of volunteers, and thus having he right attitude is the first quality that volunteers are expected to possess.
Members of the social practice team ask questions.
Ms. Zhang also introduced the training and evaluation systems for foreign language. Training is mainly divided into early and late stages, with the former focused on familiarizing the volunteers with the event and mobilizing the enthusiasm of volunteers, and the latter on reception etiquette and division of responsibility. To ensure that the right person is put in the right position, the recruiting organizations make an effort to understand the ability of volunteers through questionnaire surveys. In terms of volunteer evaluation, the organizers select and reward outstanding volunteers after the event, while incompetent volunteers are disqualified for future events. Universities are usually the main source of foreign language volunteers for convention and exhibition agencies. As university students usually have strong capabilities, organizers often enlist the help of universities’ youth associations in recruiting foreign language volunteers.
A member of the social practice group makes notes during the interview.
The social practice group poses for a photo with Ms. Zhang.
On the afternoon of July 9, the social practice group visited Xiagang Sub-district Integrated Household Service Center, where they were received by the center’s director Mr. Qi Haihui. The center, the largest one of its kind in Xiamen, is part of the “Joint Efforts for Beautiful Xiamen” program, serving seven residential communities. Volunteers have also set up special service stations here to provide 31 items of service in six categories, such as caring services for special groups like the elderly, people with disabilities and children, and cultural and sports training.
One of the characteristic voluntary services for the local elderly is free English lessons offered by university students. “The elderly are a relatively special group, and meeting their needs for foreign language learning is a big test for volunteers,” said Director Qi. During the interview, Director Qi sang high praise of the “E-compassion” College English Teaching Program for the elderly, which is undertaken by volunteers from CFLC. By overcoming a series of difficulties, such as the disconnect between teaching content and the needs of the elderly, the lack of interest in learning and so on, the volunteers have won the praise of the service center and the elderly.
A member of the CFLC social practice group interviews Director Qi.
A member of the CFLC social practice group makes notes of the interview.
During the interview, the social practice group also learned that the service center had established a comprehensive volunteer management system. In terms of institutional norms and volunteer training, the service center maintains volunteer manuals and electronic registration forms for all volunteers, recording their service durations and regularly organizing teambuilding and training for the volunteers. In addition, each semester, the service center holds a summary meeting to review the performance of volunteers. In volunteer assessment, the service center organizes a “volunteer commendation ceremony” at the end of each year to recognize outstanding volunteer groups, individuals and philanthropic organizations and present awards and gifts to outstanding volunteers. Director Qi stressed, “Volunteers should be dedicated to service, avoid superficial work, provide in-depth voluntary service and carry forward the spirit of volunteerism.” Volunteer services embody love and dedication, while mutual assistance is the spirit of volunteerism.
Members of the CFLC social practice group pose for a group photo with Director Qi.
Volunteering is an excellent way for university students to get to know their local area. By giving their time to charitable projects, students can meet people in the wider community and learn about the needs of those living around the corner from their institutions. In addition, volunteering helps students to develop valuable skills for life and work. Well-designed volunteering complements students’ degree programs, allowing them to explore various interests and take on key responsibilities.
