Seminar enhances professional quality, pedagogical knowledge and skills of Chinese subject teachers

The Organization of Taiwan Education & Cultural, Malaysia and UTAR jointly organised Bengkel Peningkatan Kemahiran Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran untuk Guru Bahasa Cina Sekolah Menengah dan Rendah Peringkat Kebangsaan Tahun 2022 (2022 年馬來西亞中小學華文教師教學研習營) from 4 to 6 June 2022 at Copthorne Hotel, Cameron Highland, Pahang.

The seminar was co-organised by Majlis Pengetua-Pengetua Sekolah-sekolah Menengah Conforming Malaysia (MPSMCM), Persatuan Kebajikan Guru-Guru Bahasa Cina Sekolah Menengah Negeri Selangor, Taiwan’s Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, Chung Hua University and Soochow University. It was directed by the Education Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia and Penolong Pengarah Bahasa Cina from States’ Education Departments.

With the aim of providing a platform for Chinese subject teachers to enhance their professional quality, pedagogical knowledge and skills in Chinese language education, and learn more about the new pedagogy under the pandemic/post-pandemic, the seminar saw more than 130 Chinese subject teachers and principals from primary and secondary schools attending the three-day seminar.

Invited to officiate the opening ceremony was Deputy Minister of Education I, Ministry of Education Malaysia Senator YB Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon. Also present were UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, Education Division Director Charlin Chang, Taiwan Education Center in Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Beh Chew Nam, UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Chong Siou Wei and representatives from states, schools and associations.

Dato’ Mah thanked the Organization of Taiwan Education & Cultural, Malaysia for their contributions and efforts to the Malaysian Chinese education over the years, and said, “Even during the pandemic, virtual activities were actively held by the Organization of Taiwan Education & Cultural, Malaysia to provide information and assistance to Malaysian students who wish to further their studies in Taiwan. The organisation’s dedication to Chinese education deserves high recognition and praise. The seminar covers Chinese classical literature, philosophy, etiquette and even love education and psychotherapy which integrate classic and modern elements. It is believed that it can bring substantial educational nutrients to the participants.”

Chang emphasised, “The two-year pandemic has pushed everyone towards globalisation. Taiwan’s Ministry of Education has repainted the image of future teachers. They believe teachers should possess humanistic literacy and practise information-based teaching; teachers should attach great importance to international exchange; teachers should possess humanistic, information and international skills. We are looking forward to establishing more connections between the educational institutions in Taiwan and Malaysia. We also wish to promote Chinese education and Chinese culture to every corner of the world.”

Beh said, “The seminar has been held continuously for the past 10 years to enhance the professional quality of Chinese subject teachers in primary and secondary schools in Malaysia and to provide a platform for teachers to have a better understanding of the spirit of inheriting Chinese culture to encourage more students to learn Chinese. Meanwhile, we hope that this will also allow teachers to recharge themselves by learning from UTAR and Taiwan lecturers during their spare time.” 

Prof Ewe revealed, “UTAR is proud and thankful to have the opportunity to become the co-organiser of this seminar since the inaugural seminar in 2013 at our old Petaling Jaya Campus. This is part of the University’s initiative to contribute back to the community and education.”

“Chinese subject teachers are unforgettable for many of us and their influence is far-reaching. As teachers, apart from imparting new knowledge, they also take into account the mission of ‘nurturing students’ (育人). With the reference to classical Chinese stories and allusions, they guide students to become human beings and educate them to be good and kind. Whenever I encounter difficulties in my career, the idioms and stories I have learned will come to my mind, giving me a guiding light,” he added.

There were a total of nine talk sessions during the seminar. Speakers from UTAR were ICS Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Dr Ling Liong Ngo and Centre for Curriculum Development and Innovation Deputy Head Dr Ngeow Yeok Meng. They presented topics related to teaching and appreciation of Chinese classical literature (Song Ci and Yuan Qu) as well as education besides sharing their teaching experiences.