Short Term

During the year 2004, FOC organized a total of 17 short-term programs. These programs consisted of 14 English teaching or teacher training programs, two Chinese language study programs, and one Computer Science training program. In addition to the assistance these teams provide to Chinese educational institutions, these programs also provide a means by which some participants are able to assess for themselves whether they could successfully adapt to life in China in the future.

Sichuan Province

English Language Training Program, Sichuan University of Science and Technology (四川理工大学), Chengdu, Sichuan.

In co-operation with the Sichuan University of Science and Technology, FOC arranged for a team of thirteen English teachers from the UK to come for three weeks in July and August 2004 to deliver an intensive conversational English course for students at the University.

Shaanxi Province

Teacher training program at Sanyuan Continuing Education Centre (三原直教中心), Sanyuan County (三原县), Shaanxi Province

A three-week teacher training program was successfully completed at Sanyuan Continuing Education Centre in conjunction with the Provincial Educational Commission and the Sanyuan County Education Commission. A team of twelve experienced teachers ran a three week intensive English teacher training program for high school teachers in SanYuan.

English training program at Northwest Science and Technology University of Agriculture and Forestry (西北农林科技大学), Yangling (杨陵), Shaanxi Province.

A three-week English training program was provided at Northwest Science and Technology University of Agriculture and Forestry. A team of nine teachers gave training in Conversational English and Western culture to graduate students and university teachers.

Teacher training program in Shaanxi Province

FOC arranged for 10 English teachers from Australia during the four weeks of December to teach at three different universities in Shaanxi (Shaanxi Normal University, Chang An University and Northwest Science and Technology University of Agriculture and Forestry). They enhanced the teaching experience of several long-term teachers and broadened the educational experience of the students.

Computer Science Training Program – Xi’an Electronic Technology University (西安电子科技大学), Shaanxi Province.

An American College Professor in Computer Science conducted a two-week training program at the Xi’an Electronic Technology University.

Chinese Language Study Programs – Shaanxi Normal University

A group of 10 American college students studied Mandarin at the Shaanxi Normal University. In an effort to broaden their experience of China, they assisted other foreign teachers in their English classes at Shaanxi Normal University and ChangAn University (长安大学). These students also ran a week long English training program at NingShaan High School (宁陕中学).

Another group of 15 from the USA and the UK studied Mandarin at Shaanxi Normal University and briefly taught English in Sanyuan County (三原县).

Qinghai Provinc

Teacher training programs in Zeku County (泽库县), Qinghai Province.

In cooperation with the Zeku Education Commission FOC held a summer English camp in Zeku county that included 10 foreign teachers and served 40 primary school English teachers and 130 students.

English camp at Jianzha County Number One and Number Two Minorities Middle School (尖扎县第一和第二民族中学)

Twelve people from Canada, England and Norway participated in an English summer camp in Jianzha. They served 96 students.

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

English Camps at the Medical University in Urumqi, Xinjiang(新疆医科大学 )

Two separate summer camps were conducted at the Medical University in Urumqi. Each camp involved teaching 150 students for four weeks. In addition to class time, the short-term teachers were involved in training of students in their spare-time through lectures, English-corners and Basketball activities.

Teams of Volunteers Assisting FOC Long-term Teachers in Urumqi

Two separate teams of short-term volunteers assisted FOC long-term teachers at the Xinjiang Education College (新疆教育学院) in Urumqi. This sort of program provides greater variety for the students and broadens their education experience as well as allowing the short-term volunteers to gain a new perspective on China.

Henan Province

English Camp – Zhengzhou Electric Power College, Henan

In July, a four-person STEP team from Canada, together with 3 FOC-Henan associates, conducted a 3-week English Camp at Zhengzhou Electric Power College, with 60 middle-school and college students participating in the program aimed at improving students’ conversational English skills.

Middle School English Teacher Training Program in Fangcheng City (方城市), Henan Province

In July, a combined team of five FOC-Henan associates and two short-term volunteers from Canada conducted an intensive 8-day English teacher-training program in Fangcheng (方城市). The program was arranged in cooperation with the Fangcheng Bureau of Education and provided certified English training to 60 middle school teachers of English.

Two Middle School English Teacher Training Weekends in Lingbao City (灵宝市), Henan Province

Cornerstone Training Center, a cooperation between FOC and Henan Agricultural University, organized and conducted two separate intensive English teacher training weekend courses for middle school English teachers in Lingbao in May and in November. Approximately 60 middle school teachers of English participated in the training weekends.

Summer English Camp organized and sponsored by FOC-Henan at SANCS Children’s Home (中美义务合作服务社) in Xinmi City (新密市), Henan Province.

An FOC associate organized a three-week summer English Camp at SANCS Children’s Home in Xinmi for 25-30 school-age children. Three local university students/graduates with English major backgrounds were recruited to assist with the teaching.