Ateneo Confucius Institute successfully organizes Local Teacher Training in China

Guangzhou, China — The Confucius Institute at Ateneo de Manila University (CI – Ateneo) and Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) jointly organized a teacher training program for Filipino and Vietnamese Chinese language educators from 28 July to 10 August 2024. Sponsored by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), the program aims to enhance the knowledge and professional skills of Chinese language teachers in the Philippines and Vietnam.

Held at SYSU’s Guangzhou campus, five participants from the Philippines joined their counterparts from Vietnam in a series of lectures delivered by professors from SYSU’s Department of Chinese Language and Literature. These lectures were designed to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and enhance their Chinese language teaching skills. Among the lecturers was Professor Zhou Xiaobing of SYSU and Beijing Language and Culture University, who focused on the challenges and teaching strategies specific to the Southeast Asian region.

In his other lectures, Prof. Zhou also discussed: 

1. 《国际中文教师专业能力标准》解读 
   Interpretation of “Professional Competence Standards for International Chinese Language Teachers”
2. 基于《国际中文教育用中国文化和国情教学参考框架》指导下的中国文化教学——如何在东南亚中小学教授中国文化
   Chinese Culture Teaching based on “The Framework of Reference for Chinese Culture and Society in International Chinese Language Education”: How to teach Chinese Culture to Primary and Secondary Schools in Southeast Asia
3. 中国文化教学工作坊
   Workshop on Chinese Culture Teaching 
4. 东南亚本土中文教学资源选用与研发
   Selection and Development of Local Chinese Teaching Resources in Southeast Asia
5. 研发一份适用于东南亚中小学中文综合课的教学资源
   Research and Development of Teaching Resource for Comprehensive Chinese Course in Primary and Secondary Schools in Southeast Asia

In addition to the training sessions, the participants traveled to Shenzhen, China’s technology capital, for an overnight stay. They toured notable sites in the city, including Nantou Ancient Town and the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning (MOCAUP).

The training concluded with teaching demonstrations by the participants under Prof Zhou Xiaobing’s guidance. 

Since 2006, the Ateneo Confucius Institute and Sun Yat-sen University have been organizing teacher training programs and seminars for Chinese language teachers in both the Philippines and China. The two institutions aim to cultivate local educators who can lead the way in implementing the latest and most effective language teaching methods in schools. Training fees, accommodations, and meals were fully subsidized by Sun Yat-sen University and the Center for Language Education and Cooperation.

Apart from training programs, the two institutions have also worked together in establishing the Master in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Program (MTChnFL), which was launched in 2019 and is now offered by the Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design.

All the participants received a certificate of completion from the Sun Yat-sen University School of Continuing Education.

List of Participants  

1. Cheryl Ang (Life Academy International) 
2. Randy Dilla (Everest International Academy)
3. Giget Raip (Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy)
4. Albert Tan (St. Stephen’s High School)
5. Frederick Go (Lyceum University of the Philippines - Laguna)

For inquiries on future Teacher Training Seminars in China, follow the Ateneo Confucius Institute Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ateneoconfucius