CSU-Pueblo hosts a delegation of 10 Chinese professors
Release Date: October 30, 2016
Press Release
PUEBLO – Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Teacher Education Program, English Language Institute, and the Center for International Programs are helping a delegation of 10 professors from two Chinese universities learn about American teaching practices and pedagogy as part of the first Chinese Teacher Training Program. The delegates from Shangqiu Normal University and Xuchang University represent various fields of study, including journalism, communication, physics, electrical information engineering, art and design, international studies, electrical engineering, and business.
During their two-month stay in Pueblo, the educators will learn about American teaching practices and pedagogy by auditing classes in their respective fields of study and attending seminars presented by the faculty of the Teacher Education Program, with CSU-Pueblo students occasionally serving as interpreters. The delegates also are attending English classes through the English Language Institute Monday through Friday mornings. The program will culminate at the end of November with a dinner and presentation of certificates in American Higher Education Pedagogy to the delegates.
“It is a real honor to have such an esteemed group of colleagues visit us from China for the semester,” said Dr. Jeff Piquette, interim associate dean of the College of Education, Engineering and Professional Studies. “We are learning a great deal from each other and paving the way for future delegations.
Piquette said it has been an exciting challenge to determine the best schedule of programming to allow us to collaborate in the most meaningful ways given the language barrier.
So far, we have been pleased with our model and impressed by how quickly the scholars from China have developed their language skills and how passionately they engage in our seminar discussions, he said.
The Chinese Teacher Training Program, which is managed through the Office of Extended Studies, was established after Dr. Ahmad Ahmadian and Dr. Yoanna Long, both of the Hasan School of Business, served as visiting professors at Xuchang University.
Annie Williams, director of the Center for International Programs, hopes this is but the start of a trend.
Hopefully, this initiative with the Chinese delegation will be a great beginning for future programs of this type, Williams said. “We are currently evaluating similar proposals and will be offering more short-term programs of this nature as the opportunities arise.
In addition to their work in the classroom, the teachers will explore the Colorado outdoors each weekend with a field trip hosted by CSU-Pueblo’s English Language Institute to introduce the delegates to different activities and settings in Colorado. They recently enjoyed a trip to the mountains with s'mores, ATV rides, hiking, and a zip line. Before the program convenes, the Chinese scholars will visit the Royal Gorge, the Pikes Peak Railway, and the Outlets at Castle Rock.
Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.
