The 2018 CFLC Young Faculty Instructional Skills Competition concluded on June 26. Eight young CFLC young faculty members from across the English, Japanese, Russian, German and Italian programs participated in the contest. The jury for the competition includedCFLC Party Secretary Chen Zhiwei, Vice Deans Li Meihua and Xuqi, English Department Chair Yang Shizhuo, Foreign Language Education Department Chair Jiang Guiying, European Language Department Chair Gu Hongfei, French Department Chair Lu Jingming, and Japanese Language Department Ma Yingping.

In the competition, contestants conducted a lesson using a variety of instructional techniques. In the process, they demonstrated their lesson plans and the use of learning objectives to organize teaching and to help students consider what they are expected to learn.

Dai Hongbin, of the English Department, won the special award for his fascinating lesson on Doris Lessing, the British writer who won the 2007 Nobel prize for literature.

Three contestants won a first prize. Hu Shen’ai, of the Foreign Language Education Department, conducted a lesson on student procrastination, using time motivation theory to explain the behavior. Xu Yingying, also of the Foreign Language Education Department conducted a lesson on introductory Italian, using examples from everyday Italian. Wang Hai, of the Japanese Department, conducted a lesson on introductory Japanese during which he also explained certain names of Japanese people and places and other aspects of Japanese culture.

Four contestants received a second prize. Wu Siying, of the English Department, conducted a lesson on the differences in cultural beliefs between native Europeans and American Indians. Peng Xin, of the Foreign Language Education Department, conducted a lesson on language and communication. Taking daily communication as an example, she elaborated on the concept of “neighboring pairs” and explored approaches to interpersonal interaction and ways to improve communication skills. Mao Xueqin, of the European Language Department, conducted a lesson on German idioms in the context of the German football’s performance in the FIFA World Cup 2018. Wang Wenyu, also of the European Language Department, conducted a lesson on Russian films in which he analyzed three films in depth – “The Female Sniper”, “Peaceful Daybreak Here”, and “Ballet in the Battle”.

The annual competition inspires young faculty members develop and enhance their instructional delivery skills.