Introduction
Beijing Language University's Talent Introduction Base for Language Cognitive Science, Key Laboratory of Language Cognitive Science under the Ministry of Education, and the Research Institute of Language Cognitive Science are internationally-oriented and open scientific research institutions focused on the study of language cognitive science, supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education through the "Discipline Innovation and Talent Introduction Program."
Background
General Secretary Xi Jinping has placed high expectations on telling China's story well to international students. He has repeatedly emphasized the importance and urgency of Chinese language education, stating that language and words serve as carriers, bridges, links, and keys. However, many learners encounter various problems during the learning process, such as difficulties in improving language proficiency and frequent grammatical errors. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms and patterns of second language acquisition, deepening the understanding of language cognition and neural foundations, and conducting educational practices are of great significance in promoting language learning and cultural exchange among Chinese and foreign students.
The purpose of the "Language Acquisition, Cognition, and Brain Science Workshop" is to provide students with a comprehensive and in-depth academic perspective. Its distinctive feature lies in the integration of linguistics, psycholinguistics, and cognitive neuroscience theories, helping students gain a profound understanding of the nature of second language acquisition, grasp fundamental knowledge and research methods in language cognitive science, and accumulate important teaching practice experience. In addition, the workshop also emphasizes the cultivation of students' innovative thinking and practical abilities, guiding them to explore new research areas and teaching models by combining theoretical models and practical methods of language cognitive science, and contribute to the development and innovation of second language education and to the national strategies for scientific and technological development and the promotion of Chinese language dissemination.
Content
This edition will focus on the theory of "Dynamic Assessment (DA)," which highlights the crucial role of Vygotsky's sociocultural theory in achieving teaching goals through assessment in second language acquisition. The specific topics include the core principles and concepts of Vygotsky's sociocultural theory (such as mediation, internalization, and the zone of proximal development), various dynamic assessment methods derived from Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, the application of dynamic assessment theory in second language acquisition, important empirical studies on dynamic assessment theory in second language acquisition, as well as future research directions and prospects in dynamic assessment theory in second language acquisition.
Lecturer
Professor Matthew E. Poehner, an expert in dynamic assessment and a professor of World Language Education and Applied Linguistics at Pennsylvania State University, USA, will serve as the main lecturer.
Professor Poehner's research mainly adopts Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, aiming to understand the development process of second language teaching by organizing educational environments and activities to enhance learners' language abilities. He is dedicated to the study of Dynamic Assessment (DA), which redefines assessment practices as a series of evaluation methods that explore and discover learners' potential development capabilities through interaction between the evaluator and the learner. Professor Poehner's research on DA also involves three contexts: classroom teaching, teacher coaching environments, and formal testing. He has academic collaboration projects in the United States, Finland, China, and Israel. Professor Poehner previously served as the President of the International Association for Cognitive Education and Psychology and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the internationally renowned core journal "Language and Sociocultural Theory" (Equinox).
Professor Poehner has produced abundant academic achievements in recent years, including co-authoring "Sociocultural Theory and Second Language Development" (with J. P. Lantolf and M. Swain, 2018) and "Toward a Reconceptualization of Second Language Classroom Assessment: Praxis and Researcher-Teacher Partnership" (with O. Inbar-Lourie, Springer publication, 2020).
Target Group
We welcome faculty and students from domestic and international universities and research institutes to apply. The workshop plans to enroll 50 students.
Time and Form
Registration period: Starting from now until July 8, 2023
Course duration: July 13, 2023, to August 17, 2023
markdownCopy code Every Thursday, 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM 6 sessions in total
Course format: Online classes via Zoom
Fee
Registration fee: RMB 1,800 per person for teachers
Discounted price: RMB 1,200 per person for current graduate students (registration requires providing a valid graduate student ID)
Registration
Applicants should fill out the registration form (scan the mini-program to obtain it) and send the completed form to the email address111center@blcu.edu.cn, with the subject line named "School + Name + Workshop 2nd Edition Registration." If you are a current graduate student, please provide a scanned copy of your student ID and registration page.
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Web payment method:
Log in to Beijing Language University's official payment platform for the "Language Acquisition, Cognition, and Brain Science Workshop" athttp://pay.blcu.edu.cn:8081/publish/entryInfo.aspx?rd=6149616f6c39646564355646726b2b7033496e7630773d3d.
Click on "I want to register."
Log in to the payment platform:
Beijing Language University students: Use your student ID as the login name and the last six digits of your ID card as the initial password. After successful login, click "Registration" and then click "Payment" on the redirected page to proceed with the payment according to the instructions on the page.
Beijing Language University teachers: Use your employee ID as the login name and the last six digits of your ID card as the initial password. After successful login, click "Registration" and then click "Payment" on the redirected page to proceed with the payment according to the instructions on the page.
External faculty and students: Click on "Register," enter basic information on the redirected page, provide registration information, set an 8-digit password, click "Registration," and then click "Payment" on the redirected page to proceed with the payment according to the instructions on the page.
Note: The system default tuition fee is RMB 1,800. Current students need to manually change the amount to RMB 1,200 when registering and making payment.
Certificate
Upon completion of all course sessions, participants will be awarded a certificate of completion for the "Language Acquisition, Cognition, and Brain Science Workshop."
Contact
Teacher Ren: 82303797 (working hours: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM)
Email:111center@blcu.edu.cn