The fourth English Corner of this semester was successfully held on the evening of November 12, 2025, in Classroom C103 of the Duxing Building. Centered on the theme The Importance of Creative Thinking, the event featured special guest instructors Calum, Julie, and Fang Fang, who engaged in an inspiring dialogue with students about thought, expression, and innovation. The activity began with lighthearted and humorous self-introductions from the three instructors, immediately capturing the audience's attention. Ms. Fang Fang compared creative thinking to a hidden recipe in language, noting that a simple change in word order or tone can make an expression more engaging. Ms. Julie shared her own experiences of making wild sentences while learning Chinese, encouraging students not to fear making mistakes. Mr. Calum added a touch of British humor, remarking, If life gives you lemons, make lemonade... but creative thinking is when you also figure out how to sell it with an English slogan. The room was filled with laughter, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
During the free discussion session, students were divided into three groups to exchange ideas under the teachers' guidance. Some students shared how unexpected metaphors brought their English essays to life, while others discussed using character impersonation from films to break the mechanical feel of spoken English. Ms. Fang Fang prompted further thought by asking how creative thinking had sparked inspiration in other disciplines. This led to a diverse exchange of ideas, ranging from using image mnemonics for ancient literature to storytelling techniques for historical events. Perspectives from various majors converged, making the abstract theme increasingly clear through dialogue.
The subsequent Simon Says game brought the energy to a peak. With Mr. Calum as the commander, students enthusiastically followed various instructions, such as Simon says laugh like you just heard a joke! and Simon says pretend you’re in a heavy rain. The classroom transformed into a joyful theater of improvisation as students used creative body language to follow the commands, exercising both their listening skills and quick reflexes.
As the activity drew to a close, many students remained to continue their conversations with the instructors. The English Corner proved to be more than just oral practice; it served as a starting point for the collision of ideas, demonstrating that when innovative thinking is integrated into language learning, expression gains endless possibilities.