In addition to language research, I also did research on teaching skills. During my undergraduate study, I tutored many students from the United States, France, Australia, Britain, Norway, and Germany. As part of my education, I also did an internship in the College of Advanced Chinese Training at Beijing Language and Culture University in May 2012. Being a TCSL instructor, I was in charge of 18 students from 11 countries. My vivid explanation of words and phrases won appreciative responses from the students. Based on my theory research and this teaching experience I wrote the paper, ‘Analysis on Teaching Skills of TCSL in Primary Learning Stage’, which was published in Cutting Edge Education, an influential academic journal in China. This program helped me understand the importance of culture and education in different countries as we cannot realize the value of education until education theory is combined with local situations. Besides delivering knowledge, education should also function as a spiritual bond for promoting mutual respect of different cultures.
I felt a more urgent need to pursue further studies in bicultural education when I did the internship in UNESCO-APNIEVE from August to November in 2012. As the Assistant to President Prof. XXX, I mainly helped UNESCO-APNIEVE promote the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN) program in Asia. Participating in conferences such as ‘International Education: New Policies’, ‘Cross-Cultural Learning in 21st Century’, and ‘Cross-Cultural Learning for International Understanding and Living Together in Harmony’, my vision on global education and cross-cultural communication has been substantially extended. I find it essential to consider tradition, culture and politics in the process of promoting education. This internship makes me become aware of the fact that international education will enable people of different races to understand and respect each other.
My professional goal is to become a successful multicultural educator. The master’s-level academic training program at Columbia University will help me get ready to play on the world-stage. The interdisciplinary approach of the Bilingual/Bicultural Education program will equip me with a solid academic foundation for comprehensive perspectives on cross-cultural education. I am convinced that your master’s-level academic training will give me a tool helping me to realize my dream---an international educator with an unwavering commitment to bridging different cultures.
