Cooperate in-depth, learn and construct together

----UIC and Zhuhai Yunfeng Primary School build up a practicum base for English teaching

A new practicum base was established at Zhuhai Yun Feng Primary School for the ELLS program-TESOL concentration of UIC on 24^th February.

Professor John Corbett (left), convener of the Program in English Language and Literary Studies and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science of UIC, and Ms. Zhang, principal of Zhuhai Yunfeng Primary School, sign the agreement of setting up a practicum base and give the plate

“I am delighted to be here, to express my profound gratitude for your collaboration in the development of our young teachers. Your support is absolutely vital in their training to be effective teachers of English.” said Prof. John Corbett. He mentioned the significance of real-world classroom experience in teacher training, and how important it is to be in a situation where the teachers need to think on their feet and cope with the immediate demands of real-life learners. At the end of the speech, he expressed his hope that the ways in which the two institutes collaborate will develop further.

Prof. John Corbett (left) delivered a speech

Ms. Zhang, the Principal of Yunfeng Primary School, gave a warm welcome speech and she looked forward to mutual development. “I hope the sincere collaboration will contribute tremendously to the development of Chinese basic education.” she said.

Ms. Zhang, Principal of Zhuhai Yunfeng Primary School, delivered a speech

Yiting Zhang, the student representative

Prof. John Corbett and Dr. Juyoung Lee award certificates to eight mentor teachers of Zhuhai Yunfeng Primary School

The attendees of the signing ceremony

----UIC and Zhuhai Xiawan Middle School build up a practicum base for English teaching

A new practicum base was established at Zhuhai Xiawan Middle School for the program of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) on 27^th February. Witnessed by the school leaders, the mentor teachers, the UIC associate professor of English language and literature Studies program, Dr. Mei-Yee Yan, and ten UIC TESOL students who joined the practicum this year, Professor John Corbett, Associate Dean of UIC Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Mr. Xie Ruixing, the headmaster of Xiawan Middle School, jointly signed an agreement and issued a plaque marking the establishment of a "Practicum Base for language teaching" at Xiawan Middle School, and presented certificates to the mentor teachers.

Professor John Corbett (right), convener of the Program in English Language and Literary Studies and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science of UIC, and Mr. Xie (left), principal of Zhuhai Xiawan Middle School, sign the agreement to set up a practicum base and show the plaque

Prof. John Corbett awards the certificate to the mentor teacher representatives of Zhuhai Xiawan Middle School

“The chance to do a practicum at Xiawan Middle School is so valuable. Although theory is necessary, to become an excellent young teacher, TESOL students must also be exposed to practice,” said Professor Corbett. At the end of the speech, representing the program of ELLS, Professor Corbett expressed sincere gratitude to all the school leaders and mentor teachers in Xiawan Middle School and hoped that UIC and Xiawan Middle school would help and benefit each other in the creation of a bright future.

Prof. John Corbett gave a speech

Principal Xie Ruixing welcomed the cooperation with UIC, expressing great support for it. He believed that the development of Xiawan Middle School always needs young blood, and the arrival of UIC student teachers can bring new vitality to their school. Moreover, Xiawan Middle School has been vigorously developing traditional Chinese culture projects for a long time, with rich and characteristic cultural courses, and has deep cooperation with many schools in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The Principal said that he hoped that the cooperation with UIC could make the cultural exchanges between China and the West more diverse.

Principal Xie gave a welcome speech

Yueyu Dong, the student representative

The attendees of the signing ceremony

_______________________________________________________________________________________

In addition, since February 27, the ELLS-TESOL concentration has also successfully launched a two-week practicum at two other schools in Zhuhai High-tech Zone. The language teaching practicum base in Jinfeng Elementary School was established in March 2022. In a brief but grand welcome ceremony, which was held on 27^th February, Ms. Zhao Miaoling, the Deputy Director of the Curriculum Teaching Department, and Ms. Zhang Chi, team leader of the English Section, introduced the educational philosophy of Jinfeng Primary School to the student teachers. Ms. Zhao's speech emphasized that "if there’s no love, then there is no education; if there’s no interest, then there is no learning". Dr. Jackie Yeoh, assistant professor from ELLS, expressed her gratitude to the school for providing valuable internship opportunities and conveyed sincere wishes to all the student teachers.

Ms. Zhao gives an introduction to the interns

Dr. Jackie Yeoh expresses her sincere wishes to all the student teachers

Jinfeng Middle School provided ten practicum vacancies for UIC TESOL students. On 27^th February 2023, the school set up an opening ceremony, at which the attendees included Dr. Malila Prado, Assistant Professor of English Language and Literature Studies (ELLS) of UIC, Mr. Zhong, Director of Teaching & Research Office of Jinding Middle School, Ms. Cindy Chen, Assistant Instructor of ELLS, the mentor teachers from Jinding Middle School and the practicum students from ELLS. During the opening ceremony, Mr. Zhong welcomed UIC students and introduced the history of Jinding Middle School. He emphasized that “participating in thepracticum is of great help to pre-service teachers, and is as significant as learning theoretical knowledge at college”.

Dr. Malila Prado (left), Assistant Professor of UIC, sends a gift to Mr. Zhong (right), Director of Teaching&Research Office of Jinding Middle School

The attendees of the signing ceremony