CityU faculty conducts training program in Malaysia to help local educators enhance English Language teaching quality
The “Training Program for English Language Teaching Methods”, jointly held by School of Education at City University of Macau (CityU) and the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong), co-organized by CityU International Training and Testing Center (ITTC) was recently took place in Kajang, Malaysia. The program aimed to enhance the teaching skills of English language teachers in Malaysian Chinese Independent High Schools. Led by Prof. Liying Cheng, dean of the School of Education, the CityU faculty team conducted a training program that attracted 85 English teachers from 43 schools. Invited by Dong Zong, this program marked the first of its kind from Macao.
CityU faculty team developed a tailored teaching resource pack that encompassed the understanding and application of high-quality teaching, learning, and assessment; the design of class; and lesson plan framework based on six principles of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). These bespoke materials could be used directly in daily teaching.
The first day focused on “Assessment Dimensions and Learning Objectives”. Dean Liying Cheng systematically analyzed the integrated principles of teaching, learning, and assessment, exploring the profound implications of assessment in the learning environment, tools, processes, and decision. Participants delved into the three core concepts of “assessment for learning”, “assessment of learning”, and “assessment as learning” through group tasks.
On the second day, Andy Curtis, distinguished professor in Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, used the six principles of TESOL lesson plan framework to dissect practical strategies namely “understanding learners”, “creating conditions for language learning”, and “designing high-quality lessons”. Group assignments, listening, and speaking exercises helped translate theory into practical classroom skills.
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Doctoral students Miao Yiran and Song Ning, serving as teaching assistants. They shared interactive teaching methods for collaborative learning and listening and speaking skills, drawing on their research and practical experience in language teaching, and integrating the principles of teaching, learning, assessment, and the "six principles". This session encouraged participants to share their teaching insights and design lesson plans.
The two-day program featured a detailed schedule and diverse activities, combining lectures, group assignments, and listening and speaking exercises to provide a learning experience that deeply integrated theory and practice. Participants’ feedback showcased that the course’s relevance to practical teaching, innovative interactive format, and its provision of effective solutions to the challenges of multilingual class. They expressed hope for more similar training opportunities in the future and pledged to share their learnings with colleagues and apply them in their classrooms.
The successful implementation of this training program was greatly facilitated by the efforts of Dong Zong team and related parties. The training program provided invaluable learning opportunities for all participants. Representatives from various organizations attended to exchange ideas with the instructors and trainees.
Source: School of Education
