Rector Jun Liu delivers keynote speech at the 2023 International English Education China Assembly to discuss the promotion of Macao’s internationalization agenda and roles for English in the future
The 2023 Global English Education China Assembly was held yesterday (28th) at the Taipa campus of City University of Macau (CityU). The opening ceremony was attended by Professor Jun Liu, who serves as Rector of CityU and President of The International Research Foundation for English Language Education (TIRF). The assembly focused on the theme “Opening up new prospects in English education cooperation worldwide,” and Rector Jun Liu delivered a keynote speech titled "An Internationalization Agenda and Roles for English in the Future: The Case of Macao." He also engaged in in-depth discussions with the participants regarding English language education and talent cultivation.
Rector Jun Liu explained that Macao has a strategic geographical advantage of “One Country, Two Systems” and a long-term development positioning of “One Center, One Platform, One Base”. It serves as a pivotal gateway connecting China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and plays a crucial platform role in connecting Eastern and Western languages and promoting multicultural exchanges. With English being the most widely used language globally, it plays a vital role in Macao’s diverse language environment and is crucial to promoting the city’s internationalization efforts.
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Rector Jun Liu provided a global perspective on the use of English around the world, analyzing the 16 future development trends and prospects published by the British Council in 2023. He then focused on Macao, using the SWOT analysis method to examine the current state and challenges of higher education development in the region, including its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Drawing on research findings, he elaborated on the applications and status of English across various fields, such as education, tourism, economy, cultural production, and architecture in Macao. Finally, he shared constructive suggestions and measures for using English to accelerate the internationalization agenda in Macao’s multilingual and multicultural context with the participants.
Rector Jun Liu offered three recommendations for promoting English education development and cultivating international talents in Macao. Firstly, actively develop English language proficiency among more institutions and communities. Secondly, cultivate and enhance cross-cultural communication awareness and skills. Thirdly, while preserving the local culture and uniqueness of Macao, actively promote and advance English education with longer-term significance, to effectively convey China's story on the global stage as a global language.
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