Chinese training comes on stream in Galway

The Galway Education Centre is to become the regional training centre in the West of Ireland for Chinese Language and Culture, in partnership with The UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland.
This development is a direct response to an increase in demand for Chinese Studies classes in post primary schools in the region. The first of the language courses, a 10-week basic Mandarin and Chinese teaching skills module has begun.
To announce this new development, UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland director Dr Liming Wang travelled to Galway where Minister of State for Training and Skills, Ciaran Cannon TD unveiled a plaque and officially launched the regional centre.
Speaking at the event, Minister Cannon said, “It is a great pleasure for me to launch this strategic partnership for teacher training and the promotion of Chinese Studies, the teaching of Mandarin and future co-operation between schools in China and the West of Ireland region. It is a very important day for education in the west. This new partnership between the UCD Confucius Institute and Galway Education Centre has the potential to create real opportunities and fulfil the demand that has been increasing for a local venue in which teachers at all levels can avail of Chinese Culture and language training.
“I recently visited China to grow and strengthen the very close relationship that exists between Irish and Chinese Universities, a relationship that means we have almost 4,000 Chinese students studying in Ireland.”
Bernard Kirk, director of the Galway Education Centre spoke of his hopes for the future of the partnership. “It is our plan to work closely with the UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland to help develop Chinese Studies in the region and secure ‘Confucius Classroom’ status for the Galway Education Centre. We hope to develop the Galway Education Centre as a hub for training and learning in Chinese for the West of Ireland.”
Dr Liming Wang agreed saying, “We are pleased to have The Galway Education Centre join over 360 global  partners across 104 countries all around the world”.
Teachers interested in finding out more can contact 091 745600 or www.galwayec.ie.