In-service training program for volunteer Chinese teachers in New Zealand successfully held

From July 20th to 22nd, local time, around 150 volunteer Chinese teachers from three Confucius Institutes in New Zealand gathered at the University of Auckland to participate in the three-day in-service training program for volunteer Chinese teachers in New Zealand. This program was organized by the Confucius Institute in Auckland and co-organized by the International Languages Exchanges and Pathways (ILEP) of the Ministry of Education of New Zealand and New Zealand Chinese Language Teachers Association.

Prof. Jenny Dixon, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland and Chair of the Board of the Confucius Institute in Auckland, addressing the opening ceremony

Guests attending the opening ceremony included Prof. Jenny Dixon, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland and Chair of the Board of the Confucius Institute in Auckland; Dr. Yang Jian, National Party MP and Chairperson of the Education and Science Committee of New Zealand; and Mr. Chen Yue, Education Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand. Mr. Wang Lutong, China’s Ambassador to New Zealand, also sent his warm congratulations to this training program.

Dr. Yang Jian, National Party MP of New Zealand, speaking at the event

In his speech, Dr. Yang Jian noted that the training program would assist the volunteer teachers in better helping New Zealanders learn the Chinese language and know more about China, thus promoting harmonious relations between New Zealand and China as well as the sound development of the multicultural society in New Zealand.

Mr. Chen Yue, Education Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, making remarks at the event

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Chen Yue encouraged all volunteer teachers to strive for a smooth transition from a student to a teacher and from a domestic teacher to an overseas teacher and work concertedly with local teachers through harmonious coordination and effective communication, so as to play a positive role in enhancing friendship between people of the two countries.

A local Chinese language teacher sharing teaching experience

Based on the specific situation of New Zealand and targeting at solving practical problems facing volunteer teachers in their study and work, this training program offers four modules of content, namely, cross-cultural awareness and communication abilities in Chinese language teaching in New Zealand; abilities and skills in Chinese language teaching; Chinese culture promotion and abilities to organize cultural events; as well as sharing experience and challenges on life and working in New Zealand by assistant teachers of Chinese language.

Chinese language teachers offering teaching demonstrations

This training program also adopted diverse forms including both lectures and workshops featuring interaction and hands-on practice. In addition, renowned language experts and senior front-line Chinese language teachers were also invited to offer lessons and guidance to the volunteer teachers and shared their rich and valuable teaching experience and skills.

Volunteer teachers showing their completion certificates

The attending volunteer teachers all expressed that this in-service training program was of great practical significance and covered a wide range of issues through diverse forms. It not only heightened their cross-cultural awareness and communication abilities, but also strengthened their understanding of the current situation of Chinese language teaching in New Zealand and the differences in teaching environment and classroom management between the two countries，thus obtaining more resources, methods and skills of Chinese language teaching.

It is learned that in 2016, the number of assistant teachers of Chinese language from three Confucius Institutes in New Zealand has increased to around 150, who are from over 300 primary and secondary schools and universities in all major cities and many remote areas in New Zealand. This large-scale training program marks the very first one in New Zealand.