On January 27th, the opening ceremony of the "Professional Development Centre for the Teaching of Mandarin in Scotland" was held online. The training centre is jointly established by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) in China, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages and the University of Strathclyde in UK, and aims to comprehensively advance Chinese language teaching in primary and secondary schools in Scotland, accelerate the training of more high-level Chinese language teachers, and further improve the quality of online and offline class teaching in order to achieve sustainable and high-quality Chinese language education development in Scotland.

The opening ceremony was hosted by Fhiona Mackay, Director of Scotland’s National Centre for Languages. Jim McDonald, President of the University of Strathclyde and President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and Mr. Zhao Guocheng, Deputy Director-General of the CLEC, attended and delivered speeches. The key officials from the three partner institutions participated in the event and extended congratulations on the training centre’s launch.

In his speech, Mr. Jim McDonald said that the joint establishment of the training centre is a historical milestone which will play a key role in boosting Chinese language teacher training and sustainable Chinese language education development in Scotland. He stated that this is a creative exploration of the direction of diversified international Chinese language education development in light of new normal of the post-pandemic era, which assists with mutual understanding and common growth for youth in both countries.

Ms. Fhiona Mackay spoke highly of the inclusive spirit shown by the CLEC in international education exchange and cooperation, and supported innovative attempts for bilateral cooperation. She said that the strong support of the CLEC and the selfless dedication of teachers and students from Chinese institutions vitally advance the development of Chinese language teaching throughout Scotland, and she looked forward to the newly established training centre playing a good role as a bridge.

Mr. Zhao Guocheng said in his speech that the establishment of the training centre will enhance the quantity and quality of Chinese language teachers in Scotland in a more comprehensive, planned and targeted manner; promote the professional development and lifelong learning of Chinese language teachers; and improve the overall standard of Chinese language teaching in Scotland. The CLEC expects the training centre to meet actual local needs, adhere to innovation and collaboration, continuously enrich itself, shape an important brand in Chinese language education, and creatively contribute more to deepening and expanding cooperation between China and Scotland in various fields.

After the training centre is launched, it will coordinate the efforts of the three partners and take the lead in promoting a number of bilateral language education exchange and cooperation programs, including the training of registered Chinese language teachers in Scotland, the development of online Chinese classrooms, the establishment of twinning exchanges between primary and secondary schools in the two countries, the joint development of teaching materials and resources, and the conduct of teaching research. (Information Sources：Center for Language Education and Cooperation)