The 3rd European English-Speaking Region Chinese Teaching Skills Competition Concludes Successfully

On March 9, 2024, the grand finale and award ceremony of the 3rd European English-Speaking Region Chinese Teaching Skills Competition were successfully held in London. This event was organized by the Chinese-Foreign Language Exchange and Cooperation Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education's UK Representative Office, the British Chinese Language Examination Committee, and the British Chinese Language Teachers Association. The competition featured two categories: the university/adult group and the primary/secondary school group. Contestants took turns demonstrating their teaching skills and responded to impromptu questions from the judges about their lessons.

Three contestants from our institute, teachers TONG Yinfeng, LIU Xinyang, and YANG Lei, reached the finals. They performed excellently, showcasing their strong foundation in Chinese teaching and adaptability. After a day of intense competition, TONG Yinfeng won third place, and LIU Xinyang received the Creative Teaching Award.

The same evening, the second annual meeting of the British Chinese Language Teachers Association and the award ceremony for the competition were held. Milo Fernandez, Senior Advisor for the Language Assistants Program in the Cultural Exchange Department of the British Council, emphasized in his speech that gatherings of Chinese teachers to exchange teaching skills and innovate are crucial for the development of Chinese education.

ZHANG Jin, the Educational Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, stated that language is a tool and bridge for cultural communication. Chinese is not only a bridge for cultural exchange but also an important means for Chinese and British youth to enhance understanding and communication. It serves as a significant link promoting friendly cooperation between China and the UK.

Prominent sinologist, historian, and writer Frances Wood, former head of the Chinese section at the British Library and recipient of the 2023 Special Book Award of China, delivered a keynote lecture. She shared her experiences with China over the past half-century, which was highly enlightening for the attending teachers.

This competition actively explored new methods and approaches to Chinese teaching, using the competition to promote teaching and learning. It injected new momentum into the continuous innovation and development of Chinese education. The excellent performance of our teachers also highlighted the excellence of the Confucius Institute at University College Dublin.