We find ourselves at a pivotal moment where the role of generative AI and other technological tools is reshaping the way we teach and learn languages. The question that lies before us is not whether these innovations will shape the future, but rather how we, as educators, will harness their potential to create meaningful and effective language instruction.
The title of our conference, No Fate: The Future is Not Set, underscores our belief that the future is not predetermined. We hope that our conference will serve both as a platform for collaboration and a catalyst for change as it is via the collective effort of educators, researchers, and innovators that the trajectory of language teaching and learning will be determined. By fostering collaboration, sharing insights, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible, we can shape the future of language education.
Discover Ningbo project aims to communicate Ningbo stories well to Chinese language learners and build a bridge to connect them with real Ningbo and real China. It encourages them to explore the charm of Ningbo's local culture, immerse in the target language environment and enhance their language competence. Guided by "the Framework of Reference for Chinese Culture and Society in International Chinese Language Education" published by the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation, the Ministry of Education of China, the project team completed "Discover Ningbo: Chinese Language and Culture Reader" during 2021-2022. The Reader displays the rich and distinctive cultural characteristics of Ningbo and covers a wide range of topics, including nature, food, history, places of interest, local customs, dialect, folklore, celebrity, Sino-foreign exchanges and so on. One story in the Reader has been digitalized as a WeChat mini-program in 2023, working as a pilot. Based on the Reader's resources, the project team piloted some experiential workshops to integrate Chinese language learning with local culture field trips and received positive feedback from students in 2023. In the spring semester of 2024, the project team designed and launched the Discover Ningbo with Chinese NAA (Nottingham Advantage Award) course. It combines classroom learning with "mobile" language and culture field trips, further empowers learners to develop Chinese language skills, and cultivates cross-cultural communication awareness through onsite experience and practice.
