Days ago, SUSTech Language Center (SLC) was established. All world class international universities such as Oxford University and Stanford University have their language centers, aiming to help faculty members and students, in particular international students, improve their English proficiency by providing language training programs and by organizing diverse activities.

Wikipedia defines Language Center as “areas of the brain, which serve a particular function for speech processing and production”[1]. So how does SLC play its role as the language center?

In the interview, SLC Director Dr. Cathy O’Sullivan, shared her ideas about planning and building SLC and about the teaching and research in SLC. 

Rich experience in trans-border language teaching

“Over the past 2 decades and more, I have been working on teaching and studying English as a Second Language (ESL)”, Director O’Sullivan summarized her learning and teaching experience in one sentence. After graduation from the University of Limerick in Ireland in 1991 majoring in European studies, Dr. O’Sullivan made further studies in the University of Surrey and the University of Manchester in UK, receiving master’s degree in 1992 and master’s degree in education in 2000. In 2007, he obtained Ph.D. degree in applied linguistics in the University of Portsmouth.

Dr. O’Sullivan has rich teaching experience and is highly competent in theories and practice in second-language acquisition. She used to take high positions in education bodies and consultancy companies in UK, Ireland, Japan, Amen and Dubai, etc.; Dean of Student Affairs, Registrar and Dean of English Department in Canadian University Dubai; and Director of Education Products Quality in Mosaic Education Organ, Abu Dhabi.

 “I once worked on English education and teaching in many countries because English is the second language in most countries in the world. Overseas working experience has enriched my theories and practice in second-language teaching. I am confident it can help me better involved in building SCL and customize courses tailored to the needs of students and faculty members”, said Dr. O’Sullivan with great confidence.

Planning of SUSTech

 “We hope to, by using innovative methods, make language learning simple, express and interesting”, said Dr. O’Sullivan, “In phase I, we hope SLC can help students learn English. In the beautiful and convenient campus environment with strong high-tech sense, and with guidance of teachers with highly academic performance, SLC can provide students with exquisitely-designed courses and diverse activity plans.”

At present, teachers in SLC need to have Ph.D. degree and rich overseas teaching or working experience. In addition to providing curriculum courses such as College English for SUSTech students, exceptionally-experienced teachers also need to take other teaching and training tasks in SLC.

“How do students get involved in studying in SLC? I think this is a very good question”, answered Director O’Sullivan, “We hope teaching in SLC should not only meet SUSTech’s needs for normal language teaching, but also help our students realize their goal of studying in overseas universities or securing greater career success.”

At present, students can take course study model or activity participation model in SLC, with the former model more popular, e.g., the students learn by taking courses opened in the Registration Center. Courses we provide are mostly practical ones, including writing and oral English, etc. In the future, we hope to open professional English courses related to science & engineering, English thesis writing and writing of applications for overseas studies. The second model is more flexible. The students, apart from their normal courses, can take the regular activity courses held by SLC.

“When taking these courses, the students have to make team reports or finish team assignments”, said Director O’Sullivan with a smile, “These activities constitute a teaching model in SLC”. By using the traditional Western festivals such as Christmas and Halloween, the students not only learn English but also get familiar with cultures in English-speaking countries. By participating in such activities as “learn English in movies”,”read English books” and “English dialogue corridor”, the students can achieve the goal of learning by completing team or individual assignments.

The unique English teaching philosophy featuring Mutual Aid & Relaxed Atmosphere

“In the long-time English teaching, I find mutual aid in the teaching is very helpful”, said SLC Director O’Sullivan.

“What does mutual aid mean? It refers to learners at similar age interacting with each other, sharing experience and helping each other so that all team members make progress together. We hope to use the method in English teaching. For instance, in the course activities, students share their understanding of the same book or share reading skills; after the class is over, the team members work together to complete assignments. I believe they will share their experience in language learning, compare notes in the practice and learn things in identifying differences”, said Director O’Sullivan.

In English teaching, we find most students have the same problem of “afraid to make mistakes”, which will produce many subsequent negative impacts. The Chinese students, or other learners of English as the second language, are not proficient in using the language and often use it improperly, though they master sufficient grammar knowledge and glossary.

“SLC is designed to change this, in particular for SUSTech faculty members and students”, said Director O’Sullivan with great confidence, “We will provide relaxed atmosphere for learners so that they are bold enough to speak out and will not be afraid of making mistakes. In SLC no one needs to worry their mistakes are laughed at because all people come here to learn language. Our teachers show sincere hope that learners can open their mouths to express themselves in English.”

Director O’Sullivan said, “Learning English is easy. But using it proficiently is difficult. In both English and Chinese, there is a proverb meaning ‘where there is a will, there is a way.’ I am confident SUSTech students can make it, just as what teachers in SLC can do.”

[1] The term language center refers to the areas of the brain, which serve a particular function for speech processing and production.