Prince Edward Students Participate In Reciprocal Learning Program With Southwest China University

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Guest article by Jen Minovski

For the second year in a row, Prince Edward students have had the opportunity to learn from a student teacher from Southwest University in China..

Five student teachers fulfilled their placement at Prince Edward School during October 6th through to October 24th. The students visited for three weeks, observing and assisting when necessary in different classrooms throughout Prince Edward.

There are approximately 20 University of Southwest China students enrolled in the Teacher Educational Reciprocal Learning program, a joint venture with the University of Windsor, Greater Essex County District School Board and Southwest University. The students are studying Education for one semester at the University of Windsor with the goal of becoming teachers in their home country, China.

Since 2010, there have been four rounds of exchanges between Southwest University and the University of Windsor. Each fall, a group of Southwest China University candidates spend three months at the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Education and visit selected Greater Essex County Public schools for three weeks. In the spring, a selected few University of Windsor students visit Southwest University.

The learning is reciprocal. Not only have the Southwest University teacher candidates gained knowledge about the Canadian school system and culture, Prince Edward students have acquired a more global perspective. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about a different culture and recognize that students can learn through a variety of teaching methods,” says Katie Cox, Grade 5 teacher at Prince Edward.

Prince Edward School has been gracious hosts welcoming their guests with excitement and open arms. A Canadian potluck at the end of the placement took place last Thursday, October 23rd to introduce the Chinese students to some of Canada’s more popular regional dishes. In return, the University of Southwest China students brought in some of their own favourite dishes to share.