The International Conference on Teaching and Learning Portuguese as a Second Language took place during the weekend at the University of Macau (UM). The conference, which was co-organized by the UM, the University of Lisbon and Beijing Foreign Studies University, attracted nearly 100 scholars, professors and postgraduate students in the field of Portuguese language education. These visitors hailed from 36 universities around the world, including from Macau, Taiwan, mainland China, Portugal, Brazil, South Korea, Japan and India.
Among the event’s highlights was the creation of the Association of Teachers of Portuguese Studies in Asia – a professional association for Portuguese language teachers. It will be supported by the UM, which will offer assistance to teachers and create opportunities for collaboration.
“Macau not only plays an important role in the relations between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, but also has the responsibility to promote Portuguese language education in the Asia-Pacific region in order to help others in the region rapidly adapt to the changes brought by globalization, cultivate bilingual talent in all professional areas, and create new collaboration opportunities,” said Sou Chio Fai, director of Tertiary Education Services Office (GAES).
“Portuguese is not just a subject for academic study at UM; it is also one of Macau’s two official languages, and the language of our legal system,” recalled Lionel Ni, acting rector of UM, in his speech. “University of Macau has always attached great importance to Portuguese language education.”
Hong Gang Jin, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, was directly involved in the organization of the conference as well as the creation of the professional association. In her speech she highlighted Macau’s “unique history, culture, linguistic environment, and geographic location.”
“We not only have a deep sense of responsibility in the promotion of Portuguese language and culture, but also a noble mission to cultivate linguistically capable and culturally competent Portuguese bilingual or trilingual [people],” she added.
Prof Hong also recalled that UM’s Department of Portuguese has 35 years of history and is the largest Portuguese department outside of Portugal and Brazil.
Regarding the role of UM in the new association, Prof Hong said that they would provide support by offering assistance to teachers. Staff reporter
ap learning center for portuguese language
The Tertiary Education Services Office (GAES) is working to achieve the goal set by government policy proposing to create an Asia-Pacific Learning Center for Portuguese language in Macau, according to the Director of GAES, Sou Chio Fai. The director was speaking on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the event on Friday. “I think we have all the necessary conditions. Like we heard just now in the conference, aside from Portugal and Brazil, Macau has the largest learning center for Portuguese language in the UM. We need to work together. GAES is investing as part of the trial project to [give further] incentive [to the project], so we are working towards that goal,” Dr Sou Choi Fai said.
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