The Department of Chinese Language Studies and the Centre for Research on Chinese Language and Education, The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) organised ‘The Symposium on International Chinese Language Teaching and Learning in the Greater Bay Area’ on 17 June 2022. The online symposium, themed ‘International Chinese Language Teacher Training and Education in the Greater Bay Area’, was co-organised with the University International College of Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), and the School of Humanities and College of International Exchange of Shenzhen University (SZU). It explored new directions of teacher training in Chinese language and curriculum development.

Professor John Lee Chi-kin, Vice President (Academic) and Provost of EdUHK; and Professor Pang Chuan, Vice President of MUST, delivered the opening speeches. Professor Lee suggested that teacher training in the Greater Bay Area was an important direction for development at EdUHK. He hoped to strengthen the connection between universities in the area through this symposium, and promote the sustained development of teaching Chinese as a second language. Professor Pang looked forward to taking this symposium as a starting point to respond actively to current demand and contribute to promoting the high-quality development of teaching Chinese as a second language, as well as international exchanges.

This symposium comprised four oral presentations, in which 12 invited experts and scholars from the Greater Bay Area shared their insights with over 200 participants on a wide range of themes in international Chinese language learning and teaching. 

During the symposium, three groups of students received ‘Outstanding Student Paper’ awards, in recognition of their great work during presentation sessions. The awards were presented by Professor John Erni, Dean of Faculty of Humanities of EdUHK; Professor Shen Jinhao, Dean of School of Humanities of SZU; and Professor Zhang Hongming, Dean of University International College of MUST. 

At the closing ceremony, Professor Zhang Xiaohong, Vice President of SZU, said that universities in the Greater Bay Area should have a close bond, to share learning and teaching resources, and to work collectively to improve international Chinese language education.