China - Science Across the World in Beijing

Science Across the World in Beijing, March 2004
Teaching Science Through English

English as a Medium of Instruction
The Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Beijing is setting up a project for Science teachers working through the medium of English, English teachers and materials developers. As part of this initiative three days of workshops were carried out exploring the issues involved in teaching content through the medium of English from March 16-18, 2004 at the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University in the heart of Beijing, China.
 
At the heart of the workshops was the introduction of Science Across the World and the opportunities the programme offers to teachers and students to communicate on Science issues with teachers and students in countries around the world.

• Aims of the seminars:
  
  1. To develop the skills and expertise of teachers and teacher trainers in the teaching of other subjects through the medium of English as a foreign or second language.
  2. To identify key teachers, educators to take the project forward to the next phase of preparing effective materials in English for teaching purposes.
  3. To create network of teachers interested in teaching through the medium of English

Helen gets us started…

• Programme
  
  • An introduction to the issues of teaching through the medium of English and a presentation of the Science Across the World programme of schools’ exchange projects.
  • Exploring the Science Across the World materials through the website (www.scienceacross.org) and signing up to the programme.
  • Looking at the ‘language of thinking across the curriculum’ and example materials using English as a medium of instruction.
  • Producing materials for teaching English as a medium of instruction.

… signing up to Science Across…

• Outcomes
  
  • Key colleagues were identified to help represent and develop the Science Across the World programme in China including commencing the process of translation of the materials into Chinese.
  • 120 teachers were signed up to Science Across the World over the three days.
  • 50 teachers joined the FACTWorld (www.factworld.info) network of teachers working through the medium of foreign languages in their teaching.
  • Materials were created which will now be shared among the group via the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy, China.

…lunch in the famous Peking Duck restaurant…

• Possible Follow up
  
  • The Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy, China will explore running summer courses and activities for teachers and their students based on materials and themes using English as a medium of instruction.
  • Teachers were provided with a materials booklet containing 5 of the packs from Science Across the World as well as ideas and language for working with them through the medium of English.
  • Teachers in China will begin to work on Science Across the World projects, make contact with classrooms in other countries and exchange ethnographic scientific surveys of their daily lives. This will form the basis of discussion in the FACTWorld network email group.
  • Key colleagues will begin translating materials into Chinese.
  • A teacher from the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University has agreed to work with SAW for China offering the possibility of adding a China perspective to future materials.

… the language of rubbish…

… exploring the language of data…

• Thanks
  
  • Thanks to the Mr Liu Principal of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University for hosting the event and providing the wonderful facilities which made much of the workshop possible and a success. Thanks also to the school staff for being there to help and keep the workshop running smoothly, especially April Dong.
  • Thanks to the Beijing Municipal Education Commission for their support in organising this event.
  • Thanks to the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Beijing for providing this opportunity for teachers in China to become part of the wonderful community of Science Across the World.
  • Thanks to all the teachers who came along and participated so willingly and actively.

Special thanks also to Helen Halligan and An Xiaodan of the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Beijing for their faultless organisation and coordination of the whole event. I am certain that this initiative will lead to a wonderful partnership for Science Across the World and the teachers of China!