In a week, they've learned how to pick up M&M's with chopsticks, write their names in Chinese and make Asian dumplings from scratch.

But the dozens of local children getting a special intro to Chinese culture say they are also learning valuable life lessons.

These include learning not to bully others because they are different and realizing the beauty in all languages.

The classes -- being taught every day this week at the Northwest Boys and Girls Club -- give students a basic understanding of Chinese culture and language.

So far, the students have learned to say their names, greet each other, and count to 10 in Chinese.

But the students say the class has helped them build bridges of understanding. Several said it changed the way they view Chinese people and culture. Others spoke of how they now want to visit China.

The class is offered through the University of Florida's College of Education and College of Liberal Arts and Science. It's funded by the Florida Start Talk Grant.

The program allows teachers of Chinese as a foreign language to improve their skills by teaching in a more diverse environment.

This is the third year UF received the grant, but the first year teachers taught at the Boys and Girls Club.