Michelle Obama practices Mandarin ahead of China trip  

美國總統夫人訪華前學說漢語 愿品特色中國菜

File photo of US first lady Michelle Obama. [Photo: Agencies]

Washington (CNS) -- US first lady Michelle Obama on Tuesday visited Yu Ying Public Charter School in Washington as a part of preparations for her first trip to China later this month, according to China News Service.

Altogether 29 sixth-graders at the school, which is famous for its Mandarin teaching, shared their travel experiences in China last year.

The first lady also learned how to say "hello," "goodbye" and "thank you" in Chinese, and laughed at a boy's suggestion to learn how to ask where the bathroom is.

On hearing about Chinese dishes such as jellyfish mixed with sauce, chicken feet and fish heads, she said they sounded good and that she likes to try new food.

Students also told the first lady that Chinese students like to play table tennis, basketball and badminton.

The first lady said she wanted to help American students learn about Chinese culture and history, and find out what makes young people in China work and study so hard.

The education-themed trip of Michelle Obama includes visiting a university and high schools in Beijing and Chengdu, according to the agenda released by the White House.

The first lady encouraged students across the country to follow her China trip on a daily blog.