MATCIL Transforms My Chinese Teaching Journey
Ms Yu Feixia Fay
MA in Teaching Chinese as an International Language (2017)
Studying the MA in Teaching Chinese as an International Language (MATCIL) at the Faculty of Humanities was a truly transformative experience. Coming from a non-Chinese language academic background, I was initially unsure about stepping into Chinese language education. Fortunately, the programme’s well-designed foundation courses gave me the subject knowledge and confidence I needed to teach Chinese in international settings.
The curriculum struck a perfect balance between theory and practice. I explored cognitive science in language learning, learned how to design textbooks and deliver effective lessons, and completed a teaching placement at the University of Worcester in the UK — the very place I hoped to begin my career. Taught by an international team from Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, and the US, the programme opened my mind to diverse educational perspectives. A standout experience was joining a research project led by Dr Liang, which sharpened my research skills and led me to participate in an international conference at the University of Notre Dame in the US.
Another pivotal moment was completing the IB teacher training module. I had the chance to learn directly from IB educators, school leaders, and course directors — an experience that unknowingly set me on the path to my current role.
After graduating in 2017, I qualified as a teacher in the UK and taught in both private and state schools, eventually becoming Head of Department and a mentor for trainee teachers. I was especially proud to guide local students from beginner Chinese to A-level, with some going on to study Chinese at top UK universities — a testament to MATCIL’s impact. Today, I work as a Subject Manager at the International Baccalaureate and also serve as a subject specialist reviewing national Chinese language courses for the UK’s assessment regulator.
My advice to students: explore every opportunity, communicate openly with your lecturers, and plan ahead. I remain connected with the Faculty and was honoured to return in 2023 to share my experience with the next generation of MA students.