University secures global contract to train new generation of Chinese teachers

A TRANSNATIONAL contract to train a new generation of Chinese teachers has been won by the International Short Programme Unit (ISPU) of the University of Chichester.

The contract with the ISPU, which is part of the Institute of Education and one of only five preferred partners in the UK according to British Council, China, will initiate a new partnership with the city of Hangzhou, in Zhejiang Province, to tutor headteachers and heads of English departments.

Although it has previously welcomed teachers from other parts of China, this new deal marks the first occasion where the ISPU has secured a commission from the Province: a region that the University has already conducted educational consultancies for on behalf of the Chinese government.

ISPU director Steve Corcoran said: “As a globally-focussed institution we are extremely pleased to have secured the commission to train this particular group of educational leaders from China.

“We will include this experience within our portfolio of professional development training programmes and we hope this will lead to a closer relationship with the city of Hangzhou and to further cohorts coming to study at our University.”

Later in November the group of 18 Chinese headteachers will undertake a three-week programme at the University.

The purpose of the training – in Educational Management and School Leadership – is to enable the teachers to learn about school improvement strategies, quality assurance, and leadership and management in relation to their schools.

As part of the programme the headteachers will visit five nearby schools and meet their counterpart leaders, while another group of 15 heads of English departments will also arrive at the same time.

Mr Corcoran added: “This course will help the teachers to acquire professional knowledge and practical skills to enable them to teach English according to the requirements specified in the New English Curriculum in China.

“It will also ensure that they acquire adequate trainer skills to ensure they cascade the training to their colleagues in Hangzhou.”

To find out more about the International Short Programme Unit visit www.chi.ac.uk/international.

Alternatively for more about the Institute of Education at the University of Chichester go to www.chi.ac.uk/institute-education.