First GDUFS/U of R MA In English Language Education Celebration Held for Graduates

On the afternoon of April 9th, the first GDUFS/Uof R (University of Reading) MA in English Language Education celebration for graduates was held in Room 103 of the GDUFS International College. Professor Andy Goodwyn, Dean of the School of Education of the University of Reading, Professor Jeanine Treffers-Daller, Professor LI Daguo, CHEN Jianping, Deputy Secretary of GDUFS, WEN Binli, Dean of Faculty of English Language and Culture (FELC) as well as leaders of related departments and graduates with their families attended the celebration. The celebration was hosted by Dr. WANG Yunfeng of FELC.

An Inter-continental Event

In his address Professor Andy Goodwyn pointed out that the two universities, GDUFS and the University of Reading, had overcome numerous difficulties to cooperate and establish the MA in the English Language project, crossing the distance between the two continents numerous times and in myriad ways. Both sides are engaging in cultivating international elites, providing students with international education opportunities, so that they could obtain knowledge of their major, enhancing their competence, thus the education and knowledge could shine as a torch throughout their lives.

Leaders and professors delivering their talks

Professor Andy Goodwyn, Mr. CHEN Jianping, Mr. WEN Binli and Professor Jeanine Treffers-Daller all expressed their hope that students could maintain such a significant study experience in their memory and apply the knowledge and skills they have learnt to their future careers and lives. Through such experience the speakers voiced hopes that the students had gained, not only a diploma paper, but also knowledge and friendship. They were also reminded that they should keep in touch with their teachers and fellow students, sharing their experiences, feelings and thoughts in the future and stepping forward together.

A Journey with Gratitude and Dreams

The graduate representative YI Xuqi expressed her gratitude sincerely in her speech. She promised to work for teachers’ education, to seek the company of her classmates and the understanding and supports from parents. GUO Chengcheng, on behalf of the junior MA students, congratulated their senior fellows and appreciated them for setting a good example in learning. In addition, she encouraged them to stick to their dreams and fight for their dreams by noting that “Graduation is not an end but another new start.”

Photo of Professor Andy Goodwyn and a graduate

The Faculty of English Language and Culture attaches great importance to cooperating with qualified teaching resources in other countries and adhering to the establishment of high-level and international cooperation projects. The GDUFS-U of R MA in English Language Education Project was examined and approved by the Ministry of Education. It is one of the few international cooperation education projects in China, one which realizes the international integration of quality teaching resources of the two universities, providing high-level education for students at GDUFS.

Group photo of the graduates

Introduction to the Reading Project:

The Reading Project is a Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools project approved by the Ministry of Education and established by the School of Education of the University of Reading and FELC of GDUFS. It aims at cultivating high-quality English teachers and promoting the reform of English teaching in China. The length of schooling is one year. After finishing the related studies, students are examined and approved by the University of Reading and conferred the degree of MA in English Language Education.