Virtual Commons - Bridgewater State University

Teaching in China: Reflections on Higher Education, Student Learning, and Teacher Training

Council Chambers

In spring and summer 2013, four faculty members from Bridgewater State University taught courses on history, business, education, American studies, and second language acquisition in several universities in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and a workshop for teachers in an international school in Xiamen. These opportunities offer our faculty new perspectives on the current state of higher education, student learning, and teacher training in China and Hong Kong. Wing-kai To taught history, culture, immigration, and ethnicity to graduate students and undergraduate students in the spring semester at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and University of Hong Kong and in a three-week intensive summer course at Beijing Jiaotong University. Chien-wen Yu taught a one-month summer session on business and strategic management to students in the College of Business at Shanghai Normal University. John Marvelle offered his expertise in a 2-week workshop for teachers at the Xiamen International School (XIS) and taught a three-week intensive summer session about American culture and literature at Beijing Jiaotong University. Ryan LaBrozzi taught theories and practices of second language acquisition for English learners in the same three-week intensive session in Beijing. These faculty members will share their experiences about the rewards and challenges of teaching in China, issues of student learning in higher education and K-12 education there, and US-China cooperation in educational exchanges. We will examine the opportunities and constraints in curricular issues, pedagogy, academic freedom, and student success in China. We welcome participation from the audience to share their teaching experiences in Asia as well.