On the morning of July 18, the International Conference Hall of Yunnan Minzu University was brilliantly illuminated, hosting a distinguished gathering of guests. Accompanied by the melodious traditional ethnic music performed by a local Yunnan ensemble, the conference officially commenced.

 

    🌟 Ms. Lisa Huang Healy, Executive Director of the North American Culture and Education Academy (NACEA) and Conference Co-Chair (International); Zhong Yinghua, President of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching; and Shao Weiqing, Vice President of Yunnan Minzu University, joined by several heavyweight guests, together lit up the launch ceremony to a thunderous standing ovation!

 

    🌍 In her opening remarks, Ms. Lisa Huang Healy, Executive Director of NACEA, noted: "Language is the bridge connecting the world, and the bond for cultural exchange and mutual understanding."

 

     🙌 Professor Per Urlaub, Director of MIT Global Languages, delivered a video address: "Language is the key to intercultural understanding; we must collectively respond to the dual challenges brought by technological transformation and global governance."

 

      🌟 Bai Jianhua, Professor of Kenyon College, USA, delivered opening congratulations.

Dr. Bai Jianhua, tenured professor at Kenyon College, fully affirmed the core value of language education in promoting intercultural understanding and people-to-people exchange. He expressed high praise and support for the conference's role in fostering global innovation in language teaching.

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      🎤 On the morning of July 20,Wang Qiliang，President of Yunnan Minzu University, who also served as the Conference Co-Chair (China), emphasized in his closing speech： "Under the guidance of the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, language education not only carries the mission of cultural inheritance but should also become a vital source for promoting mutual learning and innovation among civilizations."

 

      💡 Liu Jun, President of the City University of Macau, in a special address, paid tribute to language teachers worldwide: "You are the guardians of civilization and the igniters of the future—my salute to every language educator." He profoundly elaborated on the significant mission of language education in promoting civilizational dialogue. He emphasized that language is not just a tool for communication, but a bridge for mutual learning, calling on global educators to jointly shoulder the responsibility for cultural inheritance and innovation.

The six plenary forums of this conference covered multiple dimensions, including international Chinese language education, English and multilingual pedagogy, teacher development, student experience, technology integration, and mutual cultural learning. It brought together top scholars, frontline teachers, and student representatives from China, the U.S., and numerous other countries. The forums not only showcased rich academic achievements and pedagogical practices but also highlighted the characteristics of cross-cultural, cross-linguistic, and interdisciplinary dialogue. This reflects the profound value of language education as a "bridge connecting people and the world," providing a multidimensional space for exchange and reflection for all participants.

 

🎉Core Achievements Include: 

• Established a high-level dialogue mechanism for Sino-U.S. language education

• Launched several cutting-edge practices based on AI, corpora, and immersive teaching

• Strengthened the dual focus on teacher development and student growth

 

🔹Forum I: Development, Challenges, and Strategies in International Chinese Language Education

This forum, moderated by Lisa Huang Healy (Executive Director, NACEA), brought together authoritative experts from China and the U.S. to engage in a deep dialogue regarding the current status and future of international Chinese education.

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Panelists from China included: Zhong Yinghua (President, ISCLT; Dean, International Institute of Chinese Language Education, Tianjin Normal University); Feng Liping (Dean and Professor, School of Chinese as a Second Language, Beijing Normal University); Ding Anqi (Dean and Professor, International College of Chinese Studies, East China Normal University); Cao Xianwen (Professor and Associate Dean, Institute for International Students, Nanjing University); Liu Bo (Associate Professor and Executive Director of the International Communication Center, Southwest Jiaotong University);

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U.S. Representatives included: Shi Zhongqi (President, Chinese Language Teachers Association, USA; Senior Lecturer, Columbia University); Wang Jing (Director of the Chinese Program, East Asian Studies, Princeton University); Stacy Lyon (Director, Utah Chinese Dual Language Immersion); Maggie Chen (California Teacher of the Year; Director of Curriculum and Instruction,AAICE); Guan Chunmei (Indiana Teacher of the Year; Board Member, Chinese Language Teachers Association, USA).

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The speakers engaged in high-level, multi-perspective exchanges on the opportunities, challenges, and innovative paths of Chinese education in a global context, providing thought-provoking insights and recommendations for all attendees.