To promote research in the teaching and learning of Chinese as a second language and to facilitate the application of research findings in practice, Singapore Centre for Chinese Language (SCCL) held the 6th International Conference on Teaching and Learning of Chinese as a Second Language (TLCSL) from 8 to 9 September 2020. The theme of the Conference was "Inheriting the past, leading the future: The trends and prospective developments of teaching and learning of Chinese as a second language".

          Due to the Covid-19 precautionary measures, the Conference was held online. Mr. Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai, Minister for Education and the Second Minister for Finance, graced the opening ceremony and pointed out that the outbreak of the Covid-19 has changed people's lives and has also brought challenges to education reform. He encouraged participants to communicate with each other in the conference, explore new teaching methods and master online as well as offline teaching skills so as to better cultivate talents for the new digital era.

         Renowned scholars from Singapore and overseas were invited to share their invaluable research findings. Frontline educators were also invited to share their teaching experience.

         We were honoured to have invited Prof Christine C. M. Goh from Singapore's National Institute of Education, Prof Feng Shengli from Beijing Language and Culture University, Prof Hsin Shih Chang from National Tsing Hua University, Prof Tse Shek Kam from the University of Hong Kong, and Prof Twila Tardif from University of Michigan as the keynote speakers. In addition, a number of renowned local and international scholars participated in the four symposiums. The topics of the symposiums were: "Bilingual Learning: The Advantages and Challenges for Singapore", "The New Trend of Using ICT in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language", "Creating a Family Language Environment Conducive to Chinese Learning", and "Post-epidemic Kindergarten Classrooms: Impact, Adaptation and Transformation". Scholars' sessions were also set up to promote academic exchanges among scholars from all over the world.

         TLCSL 2020 was co-organised by Asian Languages and Cultures Academic Group, Singapore's National Institute of Education, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore Chinese Teachers' Union, Singapore Middle School Chinese Teachers' Association, and The Society of Chinese Education Singapore.

         The Conference successfully attracted nearly 800 participants. Sixty papers were presented.

 

Mr Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai, Minister for Education and the Second Minister for Finance, giving a speech

 

Dr Foo Suan Fong, SCCL Executive Director, giving a speech

 

Keynote speech by Prof Christine C. M. Goh from National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University

 

SCCL staff watching the live symposiums at SCCL lecture theatre

 

A Concurrent Session

 

Mr Chong Leong Chin, SCCL Deputy Executive Director, giving the closing speech