School of Foreign Languages April, 2019
Preface:
The establishment of TESOC program, Teaching English to Speakers of Chinese, is an important step forward for School of Foreign Languages of Shenzhen University in the process of education internationalization. In September 2018, TESCO had its first group of overseas students from Russia, the United States, Pakistan and Tanzania. Fresh blood was then injected into the multi-cultural vain of SFL.
TESOC Master Degree for foreign students starts from the appeal of English education in China, and always keep the principle of combining teaching theory and practice together. It aims to cultivate a group of foreign teachers who "master advanced teaching theories, possess solid teaching skills, know the social conditions in China, and understand the needs of Chinese students" for English education in China.
TESOC offers not only cutting-edge professional theory courses, such as “Introduction to Linguistics”, “Study on Schools of Foreign Language Teaching”, etc., but also customized practical courses that combines teaching theory and practice, such as “English Teaching and Reflection”, “Case Study of English Teaching in Primary and Secondary Schools”, etc. In the first week of April, TESOC students, led by Dr. Chen Pei, a preliminary education expert of the SFL, went to Taiziwan School in Shenzhen and participated in a unique teaching practice exchange activity.
(A group picture of Tesoc students and SFL students of English Education major)
Activity Review：
On April 3rd, Dr. Chen Pei led TESOC foreign students and also undergraduates who majored in English Education to participate in the "Wu Wei Masters Workshop Teaching Seminar" organized by Taiziwan School. The main purpose of this activity was to let TESOC students get into school, feel the English class in China, know the classroom behavior of Chinese students, and learn how to properly apply teaching theory to the actual practice.
The first part of this activity was a grammar demonstration lesson presented by Delfino, a foreign teacher from Taiziwan School. His teaching method combines “Whole Brain Teaching and Learning” and “Total Physical Response Teaching Strategy”.
After class, Dr. Chen and other teachers together reviewed Delfino's demonstration lesson. She spoke highly of Delfino's teaching effect and guided Chinese and foreign students to learn how to properly apply teaching theories and design teaching activities from this high-quality lesson.
The second part of the activity was the grammar demonstration lesson by Tan Qingyang, a teacher from Taiziwan School, with the subject of "Passive Voice with Modal Verbs".
After class, Dr. Chen led all participants to review Tan's lesson. Teachers actively exchanged their teaching experience, and discussed English teaching theories, curriculum design and teaching methodologies. Everyone was too interested and immersed in the discussion to know that the activity actually was end.
Students’ words:
Alex, Russia
“I think that Delfino’s approach is very well suited for younger students trying to get to know that basics of English language interactions. The use of multimedia by Qingyang was a nice touch. The task presented during the lesson was both engaging and served as a good segue into the lessons topic, which was passive voice.”
Irene, Tanzania
“Both classes appeared to have accomplished their teaching outcomes and objectives. And both classes appeared to be enjoyed by the students. Although each class was distinctly different, the teacher’s stand to learn from one another’s approaches, as mixing both of these approaches can make for a very powerful presentation. I am grateful for the opportunity to have met such passionate and dedicated teachers, and I am looking forward to future observations.”
Aadi, Pakistan
“Both the teachers had good class management skills and all the activities were very well managed, especially by Qingyang. The classroom activities in her class were arranged in an easy to difficult sequence. Group discussion, problem solving and relating teaching with real life situation were some of the activities used in the class. The teachers didn’t just stand in front of the class during the activities. Instead, they played the role of facilitators, kept on moving in the classroom and provided help to the students if needed. Dividing the students into different groups created a competitive environment which not only helped to keep the students focused throughout the class but also helped in keeping the classroom discipline intact as a strict point scoring system was used for the groups. I will sum my observation up by saying that if as a teacher, I can have the energy of Delfino and the elegance of Qingyang I would surely be a great teacher in future.”
Anna, Russia
“I was happy to visit Taizi Wan Middle School where we were able to watch the real educational process of ELT. First of all, let me say that I was deeply impressed by the surrounding itself; liked the area and the atmosphere there a lot. The school is divided into two parts: primary school and middle school areas. The classrooms are new, big enough to have at least 60 people inside and bright especially on a good sunny day. It is always important to keep in mind few things when it comes to teaching: teachers are facilitators and helpers, students need more encouragement while learning foreign languages in order to start expressing their minds as soon as possible, each student can have his own creative way while completing the task.”
This program has won unanimous praises and affirmations from teachers and students. SFL will continue to organize more teaching practices and exchanging activities to create more practical platforms for TESOC Masters and undergraduates majored in English Education to "think what you learn, apply what you learn".
