Digital forum brings schools across Wales together
30 November 2020
This November saw educators from across Wales come together for the second Wales China Schools Forum of the year.
The forum was held digitally, and enabled participants to discuss and share their experiences teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture online. Key topics included the development of the new curriculum for Wales, the role of Global Futures in supporting schools across the country, and the challenges faced by schools in moving to online teaching and learning. Staff from Confucius Classrooms in both primary and secondary schools showcased successes in engaging their students, and the range of presentations included:
- A video message from Kirsty Williams, Minister for Education Welsh Government.
- Talks by teachers from across Wales including two of Cardiff Confucius Institute’s Confucius Classrooms Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni in Caerphilly and Ysgol Aberconwy in Conwy.
- A discussion on the online Mandarin for Teachers’ courses organised by the Confucius Institute in Cardiff.
- A presentation on the digital Chinese Summer School from the University of Wales Trinity St. David’s Confucius Institute.
Minister for Education from the Welsh Government Kirsty Williams AM said:
“At this time in an ever-changing world, the ability to maintain cultural and educational links between nations is a great strength.
Through the global futures plan, and working together with you, our Confucius institute partners, Wales has provided a wealth of opportunities for school children across the nation to engage with Mandarin Chinese and to learn about Chinese culture and tradition. In Wales, we are a welcoming country and thoroughly enjoy being a multicultural nation. We really value the diversity that Chinese students, academics, and the community bring to Wales, and we want to make people feel valued and welcome.”
The Wales China Schools Project is a collaborative project between the Confucius Institutes of Cardiff University, Bangor University and the University of Wales Trinity St. David. They hold two forums per year, enabling educators to learn more about their work, as well as network and share experiences. This, the second forum of the year, was organised by Bangor University, and the first was held in-person at the University of Wales Trinity St. David in Swansea.
The next Wales China Schools Forum will be held in March 2021 and will be organised by Cardiff Confucius Institute.
To be informed of events and activities across Wales, sign up to the quarterly Wales China Schools Project Newsletter by emailing confucius@cardiff.ac.uk