International Education College Hosts Successful Academic Luncheon

On September 19, 2025, the International College of Zhejiang University hosted its 27th Academic Luncheon and the International Chinese Language Teacher Training Workshop. Held in Room 108 of Building 31 at the Yuquan Campus, this significant event gathered more than forty international Chinese language teachers, ensuring a rich environment for exchanging ideas and experiences. The workshop was facilitated by Teacher Hu Xiaohui, the deputy director of the Teaching Center.

The theme of this workshop was dedicated to "Enhancing the Teaching Abilities of International Chinese Language Teachers." The primary goal was to explore innovative teaching methods and share practical techniques in Chinese language education. Engaging presentations were delivered by three distinguished educators: Ren Shan, Chen Farong, and Wu Jian, who provided valuable insights into areas including reading instruction, oral teaching, and the integration of technological tools in the classroom.

Teacher Ren Shan presented on the topic of "Sharing Insights on Teaching Chinese Reading Classes," emphasizing that the main objective of reading classes should be to help students grasp the wisdom of the Chinese culture. She shared strategies for overcoming challenges related to students’ vocabulary and skills, and illustrated how to guide students in inferring word meanings using contextual clues. Notably, she demonstrated how to weave elements of Chinese culture into her lessons, explaining concepts such as "A gentleman's friendship is as light as water" through artistic interpretations.

The interactive session that followed allowed attendees to raise their queries. Teacher Ren responded to questions regarding the alignment of HSK exam levels with postgraduate programs in Chinese language studies, reinforcing the need for educators to nurture students' enthusiasm for learning and to provide them ample time for knowledge assimilation.

Instructor Chen Farong discussed the "Integration of Physical Performance Teaching Method and Interactive Games in Chinese Speaking Classes." He highlighted the effectiveness of methods like the Physical Performance Teaching Method and engaging games to alleviate students' anxieties about speaking Chinese. Through demonstrations of interactive games like "Who is the Undercover" along with simulated scenarios, Teacher Chen illustrated how these approaches facilitate a harmonious blend of language, movement, and cultural learning.

The discussion extended into practical considerations, such as the challenges of implementing interactive games and balancing diverse class sizes, which generated a vibrant dialogue among participants. Teacher Wu Jian contributed to the workshop by introducing the "Case Sharing of Empowering Speaking and Reading Teaching with the Yidu Chinese Platform," which he developed. He underscored the platform's significant advantages, including its comprehensive functionality and seamless integration of human-computer interaction.

Teacher Wu demonstrated how educators could leverage this platform to manage the entire class process — from lesson planning to homework assignment and feedback in one cohesive system. He also outlined the potential of advanced language processing technologies, such as those from iFlytek and Alibaba Cloud, to enhance feedback efficiency, ultimately reducing burdens on teachers while improving their productivity.

The dynamic exchange around the Yidu Chinese platform further informed teachers about the practical possibilities of integrating technology into their teaching processes. The event concluded successfully, characterized by enthusiastic discussions, where valuable teaching strategies were exchanged among participants. The presentations provided a solid foundation of theoretical insight and practical application, equipping teachers with new ideas to elevate their teaching effectiveness.

This Academic Luncheon not only served as a high-level exchange of teaching expertise but also fostered a platform for the ongoing professional development of international Chinese language teachers. Such initiatives are crucial in encouraging educational innovation and improvement, enhancing professional growth, and ultimately enriching the academic environment for Chinese language learners.