College first to teach tree-climbing course

"厦门大学微博协会"近日称,厦大将开设爬树课.在这门课上,可以学习如何安全爬上任何树,并在上面自由移动,甚至"在树木之间灵活穿梭".目前,厦大已经开始在学校后山寻找合适的场地了.

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.

"美国部分大学早已开设了这门课程.校长觉得美国大学开设的爬树课很有意思,也希望我们体育部能开设爬树选修课供学生选修."厦门大学体育教学部的林建华教授介绍.

"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.

"当然,不是赤手空拳去爬树,我们会适当借助一些器材以保障学生安全."林建华教授表示.

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

学校开设这样"另类"的体育课,可能会引起不小的争议.林建华教授认为,体育选修课的多样化能充分挖掘学生的兴趣爱好,让学生有接触不同运动项目的机会,激发他们锻炼的热情.

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.

林教授还表示,"就像厦大当初开设高尔夫球课,也引来了不少非议一样.但就开课后这几年的效果来看还是不错的,学生都很喜欢.学校还请了专业的教练,高尔夫班也从3个增加到了11个."

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.

词语注释：

拟(nǐ)plan to

穿梭(chuānsuō)shuttle

赤手空拳(chì shǒu kōng quán)unarmed

另类(lìnglèi)different

挖掘(wājué)excavate; to dig; rootle

非议(fēiyì)criticize

(Source: myechinese.com)