On Saturday 5th November, the IOE CI’s Primary Network Co-ordinator, James Trapp, travelled to the new premises of the De Montfort University Confucius Institute in the heart of the university campus to run a day’s teacher training for DMCI’s new cohort of Hanban teachers.
Initiated by the departing CI Director, Prof Yi Peng, De Montfort has, over the last three years begun to make a significant contribution to the promotion of Mandarin in schools in Leicestershire, and James was delighted to have the opportunity to take co-operation between the two CIs to a new level. In morning and afternoon sessions James led lively sessions including topics on the importance of integrating the teaching of language and culture, the central role of Chinese characters in Mandarin teaching, and using objects to focus teaching and learning. The day’s training has laid the foundation for a model of continuing co-operation and support.
