EdUHK Collaborates with Columbia University to Publish International Journal

The International Journal of Chinese Language Education (IJCLE) is jointly published by the Department of Chinese Language Studies (CHL) of the Faculty of Humanities at The Education University of Hong Kong, the Chinese Language Program at Columbia University and Chung Hwa Book Co. (H.K.) Ltd.  This journal aims to build a cross-national, cross-regional academic platform for Chinese language education.  It will consolidate the knowledge and strengths of scholars and experts in Greater China, Asia, North America and Europe to enhance the research in Chinese education and investigate the significance of Chinese culture in the world today.

FHM Newsletter Editorial Board (Editor) invites Professor Si Chung Mou (Si), Head of CHL and one of the editors-in-chief to share the experience of establishing the Journal.

Editor: What is the major challenge of publishing IJCLE in bilingual?
Si: The majority of Chinese Language Education Journals in Asia Pacific Region are in Chinese, while those in Europe and the United States are mainly in English.  Due to the Biliterate and Trilingual Policy in Hong Kong, we try to break the barrier between Chinese and English – IJCLE welcomes Chinese education journals of first or second language.  About the difficulties, the Chinese articles we received are more than English articles.  With the support from our partners including Columbia University, overseas counselors and local editorial representatives, we hope to receive more high-quality English journals and offer more choices to readers.  Besides, bilingual notes for contributors, guidelines for judgement, communication documents and website also put burdens on the journal secretariat. 

Editor: What are the different views on Chinese education among academia around the world? How to seek common points while reserving difference?
Si: In terms of teaching target, teaching Chinese to local students and ethnic minority students are different in Hong Kong.  Mother-tongue teaching in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, are of great difference from teaching Chinese to overseas Chinese in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.  Teaching Chinese to foreigners and overseas Chinese are also different as chalk and cheese.  Teaching methods are ranging from traditional audio-lingual approach and translation method, contemporary functional approach and task-based learning, and the latest AP and IB standard.  IJCLE provides a platform for scholars and teachers around the world to express their views and exchange ideas without boundary, and it is the original intention of the journal.

Editor: Is there any promotion plan for IJCLE and Chinese Education research?
Si: IJCLE had already published two issues, and more and more submissions were received.  We will continue to promote the journal to the teachers and institutions of language education and international Chinese language education.  We are planning to host large-scale international seminars. Scholars will be invited to present their research articles, and selected articles will be published in IJCLE.  Moreover, IJCLE website with free online journals is launched to encourage readers to use the research result for reference and quotations.

Among the editors-in-chief are Professor John Lee Chi-kin, Vice President (Academic) of EdUHK, Professor Liu Lening, Professor at the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures cum Director of the Chinese Language Program at Columbia University, and Professor Si Chung Mou, Head of the Department of Chinese Language Studies of EdUHK.  An appeal was also made to experts and scholars to submit papers. Website:  http://ijcle.eduhk.hk/?lang=tc

The first issue of the International Journal of Chinese Language Education was published in June 2017.

The President of The Education University of Hong Kong, the Editorial board of the International Journal of Chinese Language Education and the collaborators demonstrate the Journal.