Training English Teachers of the Future: Cultivating Cross-Cultural Awareness in Language Teaching
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Becoming a language teacher in today’s world is a noble mission. Teachers need to possess a diverse skill set to tackle a plethora of challenges that come their way, such as guiding students to navigate a digitally driven modern world. As such, multi-faceted university training is instrumental in shaping all-rounded and dynamic teachers with cross-cultural awareness.
Excelling in this mission is the Bachelor of Education (Honours) (English Language) programme offered at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) within its Faculty of Humanities. According to its students, there is no better place to prepare for a stand-out career in English teaching.
“Apart from offering a wide range of courses that equip us with skills of English language teaching, there is also an Immersion Programme where we get to gain study and living experience overseas,” said Stephanie Lai Tsz-ying, a Year 5 student.
The programme focuses on helping students gain valuable field experience through its teaching practice and Immersion Programme. The compulsory Immersion Programme requires students to live and study in an English-speaking country while living with a local family. It aims to enhance the students’ English language proficiency, and to cultivate their cross-cultural worldview by exposing them to English culture.
Lai, who had the opportunity to go to the UK two years ago as part of the Immersion Programme, described it as unforgettable and incredible.
“I had never been to Europe before, and the experience has broadened my horizon,” she said. “I am an introvert, so it helped me to step out of my comfort zone and make friends around the world.”
She added that the practicum of the programme was also valuable. Working as a student teacher in a placement school exposes her to different school environments. It helps shape her teaching vision and build useful connections.
For students, this is a significant draw of the…