2021年4月19日英语组全体教师在组长乔老师的组织下召开了关于用英语“趣谈中国文化中的牛”的教研主题活动，教研活动由张何娟主持， 教研会议上，大家踊跃发言，收获颇丰！
2021是农历辛丑年，也是中国传统上的牛年。在中国文化中，牛是任劳任怨、勤恳踏实的象征。牛是家畜中最勤劳的角色，也是文学作品中常描写的形象。
我们通过这次教研，了解到了牛在中国文化中的含义：牛被视为勤劳诚恳的象征;牛为什么会被选入十二生肖;也共同探讨了一些含有牛的成语比如“牛气冲天”喻意能够战胜一切，成为阻碍之事。这一精神也被高度赞扬，很多人将其奉为工作准则。当有人通过辛苦努力获得巨大成就时，人们往往会会说他或她“牛”，意为“很棒”。 我们共同学习了这些成语在英语中的表达，以及表达了我们要发扬牛的精神，脚踏实地地干好自己的工作！
But why was the ox chosen to be one of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs?
Centuries ago, most people earned their living through farming. The ox was used to help plow, cultivate and carry heavy goods.
The ox has long had a significant place in Chinese culture. Ancient Chinese poets and writers frequently described the ox in literature. In the Classic of Poetry, the oldest existing collection of Chinese poetry, the animal was mentioned in nine out of the 305 pieces.
The ox is considered a symbol of diligence and earnestness in Chinese culture. To this day, the phrase “the spirit of ox” still refers to conquering anything that may present itself as an obstacle. The spirit is highly praised and many people follow it as their work ethic. When someone achieves a great accomplishment through hard work, people often use “niu”, meaning “awesome”, to describe him or her.
