5th International Chinese Teaching Cloud Symposium attracts over 400 educators
More than 400 International Chinese language teachers from 14 countries attended the 5th International Chinese Teaching Cloud Symposium on 1 -2 June 2024. The theme was “Digital Literacy and International Chinese Language Education”.
The popular forum was jointly organised by Chinese Testing International and Crestar Confucius Classroom Singapore, together with the East China Normal University Global Education Centre and Global Chinese Language Teacher Education Association.
Dr. Han Jun, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, and Mrs. Yu Yan, Director of Curriculum and Instruction of Chinese Testing International, delivered the opening speeches. They both advocated for international Chinese language teachers to join hands and promote in-depth exploration and innovative practice in the field of digitalisation for international Chinese language education.
Prof. Yan Hanbing from East China Normal University, Dr. Huang Longxiang from Nanyang Technological University, Prof. Chen Dongdong from America’s Seton Hall University, and Prof. Zheng Yanqun from Beijing Language and Culture University delivered the keynote speeches. They analysed and discussed topics such as digital transformation of education and the application of generative AI in language learning.
Ten exciting teaching workshops were also presented during this symposium. Associate Prof. Zhou Yong of East China Normal University introduced the basic principles and technical elements of artificial intelligence generated content (AIGC). He also gave examples of its application in the field of international Chinese language education, and advocated teachers and students to improve their ability to comprehensively use the technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing and data-driven/intelligent decision-making. At the same time, the application of ChatGPT in Chinese language teaching and its possible impact and challenges on future education were discussed.
Besides, Ms. Jiang Yingying from United World College of Southeast Asia (UWCSEA) Singapore, and Vice-Principal Xi Kaijing and Ms. Zhou Meijuan from Shanghai United International School demonstrated the applied teaching practice of digital concepts in their respective schools. Prof. Guo Zhiyan from University of Warwick, UK, and Ms. Lai Jing, Director of the European School of Knowledge Economics and Management presented the latest research on digital curriculum construction and teaching innovation. Ms. Wen Ying from Dulwich College Seoul, Director Chaofan Xian from EEO Education, Ms. Yuan Xu from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, Associate Prof. Xiong Yuzhen from Jinan University, and Ms. Penny Ma from International School of Beijing shared their perspectives and demonstrated various aspects of the application of digital tools in teaching the Chinese language.
Roundtable discussions were also featured in the symposium. At the International School Principals’ Roundtable. Mr. Zhu Wenhong, Vice Principal of Dalton School Hong Kong, Ms. Li Na, Vice Principal of Wellington International School Hangzhou, and Dr. Gu Jianzhong of Lions City Education Group Singapore discussed the opportunities, challenges, and strategies for Chinese language teaching in international schools in the digital era.
In another roundtable, Dr. Wang Xiaoxiao of Tsinghua University, Dr. Luo Jiayi of the University of Hong Kong and Mr. Zhu Haibin of Nanyang Technological University analysed the changes in Chinese language education in the digital era, taking into account the teaching and practical experiences of their respective institutions.
The seminar was not only rich in content and diverse in form, it also received a lot of praise from the participating teachers. They said that the symposium had helped them to gain a deeper understanding of digitalisation, improved their digital literacy and inspired them to innovate and use digital tools to improve the teaching of the Chinese language internationally.