College first to teach tree-climbing course

"廈門大學微博協會"近日稱,廈大將開設爬樹課.在這門課上,可以學習如何安全爬上任何樹,并在上面自由移動,甚至"在樹木之間靈活穿梭".目前,廈大已經開始在學校后山尋找合適的場地了.

The Microblog Community of Xiamen University said Xiamen University has started to look for the proper tree-climbing venue on an adjoining hill, and the class would train students to "move smoothly among the trees" as well as teach them survival skills.

"美國部分大學早已開設了這門課程.校長覺得美國大學開設的爬樹課很有意思,也希望我們體育部能開設爬樹選修課供學生選修."廈門大學體育教學部的林建華教授介紹.

"Many US universities have opened this elective class, which greatly inspired our headmaster" Lin Jianhua, professor of the university's sports department, told Xiamen Economic Daily.

"當然,不是赤手空拳去爬樹,我們會適當借助一些器材以保障學生安全."林建華教授表示.

"We will ensure the students' safety with the assistance of equipment," he added.

學校開設這樣"另類"的體育課,可能會引起不小的爭議.林建華教授認為,體育選修課的多樣化能充分挖掘學生的興趣愛好,讓學生有接觸不同運動項目的機會,激發他們鍛煉的熱情.

The move has been discussed by many people. But variety of physical classes could mine the students' interests and support chances for them to stimulate their enthusiasm to do exercises, Lin said.

林教授還表示,"就像廈大當初開設高爾夫球課,也引來了不少非議一樣.但就開課后這幾年的效果來看還是不錯的,學生都很喜歡.學校還請了專業的教練,高爾夫班也從3個增加到了11個."

It is not the first time Xiamen University has made news. In 2005, it became the first domestic school to open a golf course and was surprised to find that students warmly welcomed it. The university has recruited professional golf coaches and expanded classes from three to 11, he said.

詞語注釋：

擬(nǐ)plan to

穿梭(chuānsuō)shuttle

赤手空拳(chì shǒu kōng quán)unarmed

另類(lìnglèi)different

挖掘(wājué)excavate; to dig; rootle

非議(fēiyì)criticize

(Source: myechinese.com)