Integrating Western and Chinese Methods in English Teaching Chunmei Yan Central China Normal University

Question for Discussion:  How do you define Chinese and Western approaches? Give a list of the different approaches in the two different educational and cultural contexts.

UK School System  Types of Schools 1.State-funded schools: including grammar schools for academically- oriented children who are selected by the examination, teachers’ reports, or other means 2.Independent schools (also referred to as ‘public schools’, ‘private schools’): They may be boarding or day schools, single-sex or co-educational.

UK School System (continued) AgeLevel of Study 3 - 4/5Nursery School 4/5 - 11Primary School Secondary School Work-based Training/College; Or ‘A levels’ study

 GCSE Exams (General Certificate of Secondary Education): –formal and externally marked school exams taken at the age of 16 –Students may choose 8 to 12 GCSE subjects from 48 GCSE exams available. English, Mathematics and Science are required subjects, and UK universities typically expect students to sit at least five GCSE exams. –‘A (advanced) levels’ are studied typically between the ages of They remain the most popular route into UK higher education institutions.

Video watching and speaking 1. What are the school regulations in the UK mentioned in the video? 2. Based on the information in the video, talk to each other about the differences in terms of school regulations in China and the UK.

Question:  What pedagogical differences exist between Chinese and western school education?

 Knowledge-based  Language-based Transmission-based Accuracy-based Memorisation Lockstep style Individual work Dominance of mother tongue Chinese pedagogical features

 Learner-centred Independent learning Collaborative Communicative Critical thinking Process-orientated Skills-based: analytical skills Problem-solving Integrated skills development Western pedagogical features

Reflection: What pedagogical changes are required by the New Curriculum Standards? Are they Chinese or Western approaches?

Requirements of the New Curriculum  ‘One way’: enquiry-based learning.  ‘Two assessments’: formative and summative assessment, with its emphasis on formative assessment.  ‘Two processes’: students developing language use ability and developing as people.  ‘Four tasks’: developing students’ interest in learning English, language use ability, creativity, and cultural awareness.

Requirements of the New Curriculum (Continued)  ‘Five components’: linguistic knowledge, linguistic skills, learning strategies, affect, and cultural awareness.  ‘Nine bands’: the five components are graded into nine bands (two bands for primary school, three bands for junior secondary school and four bands for senior secondary school).

Practice:  In order to fulfill the New Curriculum Requirements, what approaches would you use in your teaching?