On March 15, 2022, the project "Research and Construction of Cross-cultural Teaching Resource Package for English Teachers in Primary and Secondary Schools for Rural and Underdeveloped Areas", hosted by Chongqing University and Nottingham Trent University, was officially launched. The launch event brought together more than 30 representatives from Chongqing University (CQU), Nottingham Trent University (NTU), British Council (BC), Tongnan District in Chongqing, and Luchun County in Yunnan Province. Li Xiaohui, vice dean of the FLC of Chongqing University and Martin Seviour from NTU co-chaired this event.
On behalf of the two universities engaged, Stephen Williams, director of the International Department of NTU, and Hu Youqiang, director of domestic cooperation office of Chongqing University delivered opening remarks. Stephen pointed out that the project is consistent with the strategic theme of "Connecting the World" of NTU and can further promote the internationalization of NTU and wished the project a success. Hu Youqiang committed university support to the project to help primary and secondary schools in remote rural areas. Quan Dong, vice chairman of Tongnan District CPPCC, and Wang Hui, deputy head of Luchun County, Yunnan Province, respectively introduced the current situation of secondary English education in their districts and county. They promised to give full support to primary and secondary school English teachers to carry out teaching research and practice and improve the quality of local English teaching.
As the joint host at the side of UK, Frank Austermuehl, Head of Nottingham Institute of Languages and Intercultural Communication (NILIC), introduced in detail the basic overview of the project, the main members of the two teams, the background and significance of the project, the consensus formed in the early stage, the later project plan and the expected project results. Ou Ling, CPC Secretary of FLC in Chongqing University stressed that FLC would attach great importance to the revitalization of rural areas and hopes that the project can promote the improvement of primary and secondary English teaching in rural and underdeveloped areas. Kathleen Zhong, director of EES China of BC education system, further explained the significance of the project. Zhong hopes that the joint project would play an important role in improving the teaching ability of primary and secondary school English teachers in rural and underdeveloped areas.
Finally, as the host at the side of CQU, Li Xiaohui expressed her sincere appreciation to all the parties engaged and all the team members. She hoped that every member participating in the project would clarify their own positions, actively communicate with each other, tap the most real needs of front-lineteachers, develop teaching resources to meet the cross-cultural literacy of middle school students, and promote the reform of English teaching in rural and underdeveloped areas.
Editor: Ji Lu
