This is a team made up of Chinese and Italian teachers, who combines the teaching ideas and methods from both countries. This is a team which focuses on cultivating practical talents by applying work experience in enterprises into teaching; This is a team of discovering the passion for education, adhering to the teaching ideas of “student-centered learning, responsible education” and training quality talents in foreign affairs for the local economic development and our nation in a concerted effort. This is the “Sino-Italian Education” team of JISU.
This team consists of six Chinese teachers and three Italian teachers. Among them, two Chinese teachers are professors and three Italian teachers are associate professors, four of them have been certified as teachers with good teaching ability and practical working experiences, and they all have experienced studying abroad. Assembled in this team, there are national senior translators, national student's favorite foreign teacher, excellent foreign teachers in Jilin Province, outstanding teachers of JISU and advanced individuals in the JISU’s “three education” work. Professor Zhang Mi, the team leader, is a leading figure in Chinese Italian research. His contribution to the Sino-Italian language and cultural exchange won the Medal of Honor three times by the Italian government, and he was awarded the title of national senior translator for having translated millions of words. Professor Qi Yule once was the translator for President of Italy and the official translator for Italian government. In the past five years, these teachers have published fifteen books, including textbooks and translated works. Teachers in the team also undertook five scientific research projects at or above the provincial level. With their love and responsibility for education, they created a world of Italian education at JISU.
Ideological and Political Education in Foreign Language Classes
The Italian Language Department placed patriotism and social responsibility as their guiding principles when training foreign-language students to carry out ideological and political education. Since the establishment in 2008, the department of Italian Foreign Language offers forty undergraduate courses and twenty-seven graduate courses. All teachers started their classes with the ideas of “learning foreign languages well and being a good Chinese citizen” to dip students into the Chinese spirit and achievements during their process of studying and comparing with foreign culture.
For example, the teachers will give students assignments on researching the differences of health care systems in China and Italy. This generates classroom discussion. During the introduction of Italy’s science and technology and culture, the teachers will guide students to put forward some constructive suggestions for Chinese development. In Italian listening and speaking classes, the teachers will combine the media reports of China and Italy to guide students to identify online information. Then students will strengthen their national confidence and pride in order to become a messenger and bridge of cultural exchange between China and Italy.
Ideological and Political Education in Classes should be a task for both Chinese teachers and foreign teachers. Roberto Parcu, who has won the title of "National Student's Favorite Foreign Teacher", has been working in the school for more than five years and he has developed special feelings for JISU and China. “Except from beautiful scenery and rich study atmosphere, JISU also has positive and hard-working teachers and students. I prefer working here at JISU.” He also permeated this emotion into classroom teaching and club activities. In his class, students will learn about authentic Italian experiences including tasting Italian coffee, and listening to interesting experiences and stories about traveling around China, as well as the special cultural customs and lifestyles of the people in China and Italy.
It is the consensus of all teachers in Italian department to encourage students to become well-versed in their foreign language. These skills are needed by the country to stimulate interest in their professional learning. So far, the Italian Department has trained more than 200 graduates in eight years. Among them, some have entered into cross-border e-commerce enterprises such as Amazon and Aoji E-commerce, some are engaged in cross-border trade in Huawei, the Italian Chamber of Commerce, etc. Some students have landed professional positions in universities, overseas training institutions and travel agencies. In the minds of graduates, no matter what work they are engaged in, they should contribute to the development of the country with all efforts, which is the responsibility of China’s youth.
