2008 News
News 2010
Susan Piazza, assistant professor of literacy studies, recently represented WMU on a Language and Literacy Education Delegation to China. Patricia Edwards, president elect of the International Reading Association, led the trip of 30 representatives from 29 states including K-12 teachers, literacy coaches, principals, and university professors. Professional exchanges took place at seven different schools and universities across Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing, including WMU’s Confucius Institute partner, Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU).
Warm welcomes and openness were abundant from teachers and students alike. Did you know that pedagogies of the Old China are making way for progressive approaches? There is synergy in education around the New China. Focused on growth, Chinese educators talked about critical literacy, creativity, and student-centered learning, rather than transmitting knowledge and high stakes testing that still characterizes most Chinese schools. The delegation shared and learned from their Chinese counterparts about current language and literacy issues such as technology, special needs, testing, family literacy, dialects, equity, and politics in education.
The trip revealed a remarkable national pride in Chinese ancient heritage, as well as in current growth. The U.S. group gained a glimpse of China’s economic, environmental, political, and educational changes including Jiangquo’s Primary School in Shanghai that champions environmental studies and experiential learning; Beijing Normal University teachers who are seeking critical approaches in English; BLCU’s students who talked about freedom and multilingual speakers; and, Xi’an’s rural residential kindergarteners who excel in creative and dramatic arts. The group returned with new international friends and colleagues, great respect for the country, and a renewed passion for teaching summed up by a favorite Confucius saying, “A teacher for a day, a mother or father for a lifetime”.
After-school literacy tutoring was offered spring 2010 for K - 9 students who wished to extend their knowledge and use of reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.
2010 | 2009