Source: School of Chinese as a Second Language
Written by: School of Chinese as a Second Language
Translated by: Gao Xuesong
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

Recently, Professor Galal Walker and Associate Professor Xiaobin Jian, from The Ohio State University (OSU), visited the School of Chinese as a Second Language (SCSL) and the Base for International Chinese Teaching Materials Development & Teacher Training (CTM) at SYSU. Professor Zhou Xiaobing, Dean of SCSL and Director of CTM; Professor Wen Wushao, Deputy Director of Office of International Cooperation & Exchange; and Ms. Luo Jing, Vice Dean of SCSL, met with the guests.
Dean Zhou Xiaobing extended a warm welcome to the guests and introduced the development history and the teaching & research achievements of SCSL, as well as the current status of CTM.

Professor Galal Walker introduced the Chinese courses at OSU, and demonstrated how to teach Chinese by the “ The Pedagogy of Performing Another Culture”, which is created by himself.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the collaborations between SYSU and OSU, including student exchange and academic exchange & cooperation; and had a preliminary exchange of views about joint degree program, Chinese immersion summer camp, as well as Chinese research program using high-level programming language.

Then, the guests visited Global Chinese Teaching Materials Exhibition Center of CTM, including the Graphs & Texts Exhibition Section, the Textbooks Exhibition Section, the Multimedia Exhibition Section and the Experience Section. The guests spoke highly of the distinctive Multilingual Wall, diversiform Chinese Teaching Materials from different times, as well as the informative Global Chinese Teaching Materials Information Database.

After the visit, Professor Zhou Xiaobing appointed Professor Galal Walker and Associate Professor Xiaobin Jian as experts of CTM.

It is learned that OSU is the first university in the USA offering Master and PhD degree programs in Chinese Language Teaching. Professor Galal Walker won the Friendship Award for the Chinese Language and Culture, given by the Ministry of Education of China in 2003, for his outstanding contributions to the teaching of the Chinese language.