Professional Development (PD) training and workshops have always been a privilege for teaching staff, and here at SUSTech it is no different. Two weeks before the new academic year, Gina Cuciniello and Martin Williams’ arrival was welcomed by Center for Language Education (CLE) teachers. Coming from Oxford, UK, as trainers for a pre-sessional course they designed for SUSTech, at the invitation of the CLE Director, Gina and Martin were seen busy and happy delivering intensive training sessions for a week.

It was successful because fifteen CLE teachers attended the training and numerous thought-provoking discussions took place between more experienced and early career academics, between Chinese and non-Chinese teachers, between researchers and practitioners, on teaching and learning, on cultural differences, and on research practices. Every single individual benefited from these sometimes heated –yet hilarious- debates.   

It was successful because participants forgot about how hot it was outside and how tired everyone could be by the end of the day, given that a lot of preparation work needed to be done for the new semester. In the evenings, some CLE teachers also needed to interview students for the mentoring scheme to help international students to fit in, which is also a worthwhile task to do – seeing how much our students have grown from freshers to helpers.

It was successful because we now can tell students and parents that we are ready for a practical, functional course that not only helps newly enrolled students with their English language but also with their learning skills – critical thinking, communication approaches, and research abilities.

The pre-sessional, TOFEL and IELTS courses are definitely an indispensable element for the university, faculty and individual teachers. Training for CLE faculty has been ongoing over the last six months in these areas, in addition to training on curriculum development and teaching methodology. Compared to the blazing hot weather in the past week, the training was simply cool!      

By  CAI LI, CLE

Translated by XU Siqun & LI Zhaoting , CLE