Guangzhou, China — The Confucius Institute at Ateneo de Manila University (CI–Ateneo) and Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) jointly organized a teacher training program for Filipino and Vietnamese Chinese language educators from 16 July to 27 July 2025. Sponsored by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), the program aims to enhance the knowledge and professional skills of Chinese language teachers in the Philippines and Vietnam.

Held at SYSU’s Guangzhou campus, six participants from the Philippines joined their counterparts from Vietnam in a series of lectures delivered by professors from SYSU’s Department of Chinese Language and Literature. These lectures were designed to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and enhance their Chinese language teaching skills. Among the lecturers was Professor Zhou Xiaobing of SYSU and Beijing Language and Culture University, who focused on Chinese culture teaching and development of teaching resources. 

In his other lectures, Prof. Zhou also discussed: 

1. 《国际中文教育用中国文化和国情教学参考框架》
   “The Framework of Reference for Chinese Culture and Society in International Chinese Language Education”
2. 中国文化教学工作坊
   Workshop on Chinese Culture Teaching 
3. 东南亚本土中文教学资源选用与研发
   Selection and Development of Local Chinese Teaching Resources in Southeast Asia
4. 研发一份适用于东南亚中小学中文综合课的教学资源
   Research and Development of Teaching Resource for Comprehensive Chinese Course in Primary and Secondary Schools in Southeast Asia

In addition to the training sessions, the participants traveled to Shenzhen, China’s technology capital, for an overnight stay. They toured notable sites in the city, including Nantou Ancient Town, Shenzhen Museum, and the Shenzhen Talent Park. 

The training concluded with teaching demonstrations by the participants under Prof Zhou Xiaobing’s guidance. 

Since 2006, the Ateneo Confucius Institute and Sun Yat-sen University have been organizing teacher training programs and seminars for Chinese language teachers in both the Philippines and China. The two institutions aim to cultivate local educators who can lead the way in implementing the latest and most effective language teaching methods in schools. Training fees, accommodations, and meals were fully subsidized by Sun Yat-sen University and the Center for Language Education and Cooperation.

Apart from training programs, the two institutions have also worked together in establishing the Master in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Program (MTChnFL), which was launched in 2019 and is now offered by the Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design.

All the participants received certificates of completion from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation and from Sun Yat-sen University School of Continuing Education.

List of Participants  

1. Jen Ray Yu Liang (Trinity University of Asia)
2. Lanie V. Garcia (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
3. Christine Danielle Chua (Nord Anglia Int’l School Manila)
4. Bryan Christian Dilla (Domuschola International School)
5. Jacqueline Wong 
6. April Joy Gentozala (Manila Tytana Colleges)

For inquiries on future Teacher Training Seminars in China, follow the Ateneo Confucius Institute Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ateneoconfucius