CityU honorary doctorate recipient Yafu Gong delivers lecture on transdisciplinary English education
Prof. Yafu Gong, an honorary doctorate recipient of City University of Macau (CityU), a research fellow at the China National Academy of Education Sciences, and Director-General of the National Association of Foreign Language Education of the Chinese Society of Education, delivered the Doctor honoris causa Lecture titled “Transdisciplinary English Education for School-Age Learners” at the Taipa campus. The lecture covered various topics related to applying transdisciplinary approaches to English education in primary and secondary schools, and was well-attended by faculty members and students.
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Rector Jun Liu warmly welcomed Prof. Yafu Gong on behalf of the University and expressed his honor at having invited him to give a lecture. As a key pillar and pioneer of English teaching reform in China, Prof. Gong has made instrumental contributions to English education at the primary and secondary levels. Rector Liu emphasized that the traditional single-discipline education model is no longer applicable, and many new teaching models and ideas should be integrated to establish connections between various disciplines. This will allow students to apply what they have learned in practice effectively. “The development of interdisciplinary and versatile talents will inevitably become a trend for the future development of various industries and the main direction of talent cultivation,” he pointed out.
Prof. Yafu Gong discussed the whole-person development philosophy of transdisciplinary education, using examples of the cultivation of students' core competencies and teacher training. He explained the differences between disciplinary, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches, and highlighted that transdisciplinary education aims to integrate various disciplines to create a more comprehensive and holistic learning experience for students.
With an analysis of the current Compulsory Education English Curriculum Standards, Prof. Gong discussed how English education can be improved by enhancing students’ comprehensive competencies. He emphasized the importance of considering social psychology and cognitive psychology in shaping English education to better equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the real world.
Prof. Yafu Gong used real-life cases to elaborate on the cultivation of core competencies and their composition, including key abilities, personal traits, and values based on seven basic competencies of life, good characteristics, and virtues. He emphasized the differences between interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches, noting that the former focuses on knowledge content, while the latter emphasizes knowledge framework development and the integration of knowledge between various disciplines. He highlighted the importance of using language to connect knowledge and foster a comprehensive understanding of core competencies, which is a fundamental element of transdisciplinary education and students' cultivation of core competencies.
In addition, Prof. Gong outlined three key questions and objectives at three different levels to promote the understanding of core competencies. He encouraged teachers to pursue knowledge and self-improvement and to be positive role models for their students, setting an example for them to follow.
During the Q&A session, Prof. Gong answered questions using theories and real-life examples, patiently addressing the puzzles raised by faculty members and students. The lecture ended in a lively atmosphere, with active participation from the audience.
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Other participants in the lecture included Vice Rector Kong Fanqing, Vice Rector Chee Seong Chin, Pro-Rector Wicky So Ham Hung, Pro-Rector Vince Chu Te Lin, Director Kathy Che Ka I of the Rector's Office, Dean Lixian Jin of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Director Evian Ho Chan of the International Training and Testing Center.
