The 5th International Conference on Teaching and Learning of Chinese as a Second Language (TLCSL) and SCCL 10th Anniversary Celebrations

       To promote research in the field of teaching and learning Chinese as a second language and to facilitate the application of research findings, Singapore Centre for Chinese Language (SCCL) held the 5th International Conference on Teaching and Learning of Chinese as a Second Language (TLCSL) at Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre on 12-13th Sep 2018. The conference theme this year was "Inheriting the past, Leading the future".

       Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Education, graced the opening ceremony and presided over the awards presentation ceremonies for three groups of awards. The first was the Eminent Scholars Award, presented to prominent scholars who have made outstanding contributions to Singapore Chinese language education in general and Singapore Centre for Chinese Language in particular. The three awardees were Prof Chew Cheng Hai, Prof Tse Shek Kam and Dr Soh Kay Cheng. The other two groups of awards were presented to winners of the 2018 National Chinese Mobile App Development by Students for Students Competition and 2018 National Preschool Teaching Aid Competition - Things in Everyday Life. After the ceremonies, Mr Ong visited the exhibition of the winning entries.

       The two-day conference had attracted over 1000 educators and scholars from all over the world. A total of 199 papers were presented. We were honoured to have invited Prof Chew Cheng Hai, National University of Singapore as the keynote speaker. We were also honoured to have Prof Twila Tardif, University of Michigan, USA, Prof Wu Yongyi, East China Normal University, PRC, and Dr Liao Haohsiang, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, as our invited speakers. A number of renowned local and international scholars had also joined us for the two forums and preschool session. The first forum, moderated by Dr Tan Chee Lay, our Executive Director (R&D) cum Associate Professor of National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, focused on "Integration of Culture in Second Language Learning – The International Perspective". Prof Cornelius C. Kubler, Department of Asian Studies, Williams College, USA, Prof Tse Shek Kam, Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Prof Twila Tardif, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, USA, Prof Hsin Shih-Chang, Senior Vice President for Global Affairs, National Tsing Hua University, and Dr Yuan Boping, Churchill College, Cambridge University, joined the forum as speakers. The second forum, focused on the "Integration of Culture in the Teaching of Chinese as a Second Language in Singapore", was chaired by Dr Foo Suan Fong, Executive Director, Singapore Centre for Chinese Language. The speakers of this forum were Assoc Prof Koh Khee Heong, Department of Chinese, National University of Singapore, Assoc Prof Aw Guat Poh, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Assoc Prof Yow Cheun Hoe, Chinese Program, Nanyang Technological University, and Dr Neo Peng Fu, Confucius Institute, Nanyang Technological University. The preschool session, on creating Chinese language learning environment by teachers and parents, was chaired by Dr Soh Kay Cheng and Dr Liu May, both from Singapore Centre for Chinese Language.

       TLCSL2018 would not be successful without our co-organiser Principal Academy, and collaborative partners, namely, National Institute of Education, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Chinese Teachers' Union, Singapore Middle School Chinese Teachers' Association and The Society of Chinese Education Singapore. Thanks also go to Ministry of Education, Early Childhood Development Agency and Lianhe Zaobao for their support.

The 5th International Conference on Teaching and Learning of Chinese as a Second Language was held at Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre

Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Education, giving the opening address

The conference has attracted over 1000 educators and scholars from all over the world. A total of 199 papers were presented

Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Education, and Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Education, visited the exhibition of the winning entries for 2018 National Chinese Mobile App Development by Students for Students Competition

Mr Ong Ye Kung and Ms Low Yen Ling visited the exhibition of the winning entries for 2018 National Preschool Teaching Aid Competition

Mr Ong Ye Kung and Ms Low Yen Ling visited the SCCL Research Exhibition booth

 

 SCCL 10th Anniversary Celebrations

       SCCL celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. A gala dinner in commemoration of the event was held on the evening of 12 September. Renowned local and overseas scholars, educators and our partners were invited. SPS Ms Low Yen Ling graced the banquet and gave a welcome speech. The performances of traditional allegro and crosstalk by our partners and the Chinese orchestra performed by SCCL and MOE staff heightened the joyous atmosphere. In addition, the photo booth gave our guests and colleagues the chance to take fun shots together and helped fostered their relationship.

 

Ms Low Yen Ling graced the banquet and gave a welcome speech

Gala dinner opening ceremony
From the left: Dr Tan Chee Lay (Executive Director, Research & Development, SCCL), Dr Foo Suan Fong (Executive Director, SCCL), Dr Chin Chee Kuen (Academic Consultant, SCCL), Ms Low Yen Ling (Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Education), Ms Ho Peng (Chairman, Board of Directors, SCCL), Mr Wong Siew Hoong (Director-General of Education) and Mr Sng Chern Wei (Director, SCCL)

Chinese orchestra performed by SCCL and MOE staff