To further implement the “double new” concept, improve teachers’ teaching and research practices, and enhance the overall professional ability of teachers’ team, a district-level teaching demonstration seminar with the theme of “Research of English teaching strategies from an interdisciplinary perspective” was held at SUIS Qingpu on Wednesday, November 9.
Mr Chen Xinxin, English teaching researcher from the Qingpu District, Professor Chen Yong from Shanghai Normal University, and Ms Zhou Yan, Deputy Leader of the Qingpu No. 1 Middle School Subject Training Base attended the seminar, accompanied by members of Qingpu District’s English Teachers Training Center and the Qingpu No.1 Middle School Subject Training Base.
Campus Co-Principal Sunny Huang, Vice-Principal Ms Flora Zhang, Executive Deputy-Head of Middle School Rinna Ruan, Leader of the campus’ Teacher Development Academy Kevin Li, teachers from our Middle School English department several other teachers all attended the seminar, which was presided over by Ms Lana Du, Head of the Middle School’s English Department.
In this open class, Ms Veronica Zhan from the Grade 8 team presented the school-based reading lesson, “Richard Turere: Inventor”. The lesson not only involved reading the text but focused more on how to use English as a language tool for developing interdisciplinary knowledge, exploring how to connect the classroom with real life, and demonstrating the process of transferring inert knowledge to active knowledge in the classroom.
At the seminar, Campus Co-Principal Sunny Huang welcomed the guests and introduced the school’s profile.
Mrs Sunny said, “SUIS started the interdisciplinary teaching practice relatively early, and has achienced some experience, but also had some hesitation. We are willing to share experience with various types of schools and jointly promote teachers’ professional development, so that the outcome of educational development can benefit more people.
Then, Mr. Andrew Watt, Deputy-Head of Middle school, introduced the integration of the English curriculum with interdisciplinary teaching from the aspects of curriculum, activities, and homework. He also introduced to the teachers an upcoming project which will involve English and humanities subjects. Then, Ms Veronica gave a presentation explaining the design intentions and concepts of the lesson from the aspects of learning objectives, the students’ learning environment and teaching methods.
After the lesson evaluation session, Professor Chen Yong fully affirmed the significance of interdisciplinary integration and shared the norms and requirements of lesson study and essay writing. The lecture was in-depth and practical. He suggested that such exploration should not be limited to private schools and encouraged all teachers to think and explore together.
The essence of education is to offer high-quality teaching and learning. SUIS Qingpu is student-centered and works hard to build up connections across subjects, and between school and life.