School of Asian Studies University College Cork Induction Meeting Wednesday 9 th September 2pm MA Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages [MATCSOL]

School of Asian StudiesUniversity College Cork

Induction MeetingWednesday 9th September 2pm

MA Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages [MATCSOL]

School of Asian StudiesUniversity College Cork

Outline (1)

• Welcome from Head of School• Staff introductions • Getting to know each other: icebreakers• Overview of aims & programme content• Getting started: first semester modules• Chinese/English language modules

School of Asian StudiesUniversity College Cork

Outline – Some practicalities

• Communications• Staff student committee (appoint reps)• Source material on Blackboard• Forming groups to share content,

comment & ideas: email, blogs, other• Document our course using portfolios (fotos)• Weekly schedules

School of Asian StudiesUniversity College Cork

Icebreakers

• Tell us about yourself (your major, your hometown, your university, two first impressions of Ireland and/or UCC...)

• In pairs, agree on two key qualities in a second language teacher

• Optional: a question you would like to ask!

School of Asian StudiesUniversity College Cork

Overview of some of the aims

• Critically reflect & review learning situations

• Understand the importance of ‘context’ & ‘role’

• Have insights into your own strengths & challenges

• Situate your knowledge & progress

• Create and develop a range of learning materials

• Become an effective member of a teaching team

• Communicate insights about learners & learning

• Document your learning in portfolio

• Acquire a research-based approach to teaching

School of Asian StudiesUniversity College Cork

First Semester Modules

• CH6301 Theory & practice in learning Chinese (10 credits)

• CH6303 Introduction to Teaching Practice (5 credits)

• CH6307 From pedagogical theory to effective classroom practice (5 credits)

• Language Module (English/Chinese) 10 credits

School of Asian StudiesUniversity College Cork

Second Semester Modules

• CH6304 Teaching Practice internship (15 credits)

• CH6306 Teaching Chinese in different contexts (10 credits)

• CH6308 Postgraduate research skills (5 credits)

School of Asian StudiesUniversity College Cork

Third Semester Modules

• CH6305 Dissertation (30 credits)– Topic based on your teaching experience, personal

interests, course-work & skills acquired. – Source a topic, formulate a research question, gather

& analyse data, draw conclusions– Start thinking now about possible topics!– 1,5000 words

School of Asian StudiesUniversity College Cork

Assignments

• Continuous Assessment, no written exams

• Ongoing feedback/exchange to inform you of progress

• Oral presentations

• Written work: essays, topic writing, action-research projects

• Pedagogical action: observation, lesson-plans, micro-teaching & teaching, portfolio writing

School of Asian StudiesUniversity College Cork

Practice teaching

• Context for teaching: Irish education system, languages in schools (Irish modern languages)

• Preparing for teaching: observation of classes, staff-room exchanges, professional meetings, school visits, written sources etc. Also sessions from external speakers

• Front of class: through micro-teaching, peer-teaching, in-institution teaching under supervision, review & feedback

• Prepare for teaching internship next semester

School of Asian StudiesUniversity College Cork

English/Chinese Modules

• Placement Test in English on Thursday, 9-10 in ORB-G25 (organised by Brendan McEnery of the Language Centre)

• To register for Chinese language module contact Ching Keane

• Provisional agreement for Friday morning module 9-12

• English language requirements will be reviewed in terms of placement outcomes

School of Asian StudiesUniversity College Cork

Semester dates

• Mon 7 Sept – Fri 27 Nov (followed by one week pre-exam submission study period )

• Mon 4 Jan – Fri 15 Apr (followed by one week pre-exam submission study period)

• Thesis submission date: early Aug (date tbc)