Roundtable Discussion “Aspects of Language Education”

On the afternoon of April 25, 2024, Distinguished Professor Frank Lixing Tang of M.U.S.T., Director of the Developing Chinese Language Teachers (DCLT) project at NYU Steinhardt School, Ph.D. supervisor, and Acting Director of the Chinese Language Program at NYU Shanghai, was invited to participate in the Roundtable Discussion titled “Aspects of Language Education” held by the University International College (UIC) of Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.). The event was hosted by Assistant Professor You Shuxiang from UIC. Chair Professor Zhang Hongming, Dean of UIC, Associate Professors Song Haoyan and Hu Bo, Assistant Professors Zhang Jing, Guo Mo, Chen Yaoyao, Liu Wenying, and Xiang Fang, as well as graduate students from UIC, attended this event.

The roundtable discussion began with a relaxed and pleasant exchange. After understanding the academic backgrounds and research interests of the faculty and students present, Professor Tang briefly introduced the broader context of Chinese language education, shared his personal journey into the field, and talked about his efforts in language teacher training. Focusing on pivotal research areas such as the impact of artificial intelligence in teaching, the role of assessment in education, teacher classroom instruction and classroom culture, and adolescent psychological well-being, Professor Tang then provided a scholarly dissection of the current state and future progression of language education. His insights prompted a lively discussion and urged the audience to delve deeper into these subjects.

Distinguished Professor Frank Lixing Tang (right)

Dean Chair Professor Zhang Hongming (left)

During the interactive Q&A session, the faculty and students in attendance, drawing on their own experiences in teaching and research, posed questions and sought advice from Professor Tang. Questions raised encompassed topics such as the synergy between output-based approach and experiential learning, fostering critical thinking through reading, teacher-student collaboration based on individual student characteristics, and how conclusions from brain science research can inform teaching methods. Professor Tang addressed each query by weaving in his rich teaching and research experiences, facilitating a robust exchange of ideas with the faculty and students.

Program Director Zhang Jing sharing in the discussion

The event concluded with Chair Professor Zhang Hongming and Professor Frank Lixing Tang reminiscing about their academic journeys and the hardships they overcame. They expressed a shared desire to enhance educational resources for the students at M.U.S.T. and to collaboratively support the university's further development in language education.