Training program held to enhance foreign language skills of talents

The 2024 foreign language skills training program for talents engaged in international exchanges in Guiyang City and Gui'an New Area was held on June 17-21. The event was jointly organized by Guiyang Foreign Affairs Office and the College of Foreign Languages at Guizhou University.

The training program aimed to enhance the foreign language abilities of talents engaged in international exchanges through a composite model called "foreign language +", helping participants increase their overall competence and strengthen their skills. It made innovations in organization, curriculum design, and practice activities, and received high praise from all participants.

Participants of the training program pose for a group photo. [Photo/wqb.guiyang.gov.cn]

Empowering learning with elite teachers and excellent courses

The training program gathered instructors excellent in various language fields, leveraging the resources of Guizhou University. Professors from Minzu University of China, Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, and Guizhou Normal University, as well as experienced interpreters from Guizhou Foreign Affairs Office, were invited to teach.

Delving into the communication aspects of Guiyang-Gui'an foreign publicity translation from a perspective of media studies, the training program also included cross-cultural communication skills and their application, and provided targeted courses on foreign trade and investment, foreign affairs reception, and political translation.

Centered around promoting opening-up and focusing on the linkages of external publicity, foreign affairs, foreign economy, foreign trade, and foreign capital, the training program helped participants improve their foreign language abilities and overall competence in foreign exchanges.

Participants engage in training courses. [Photo/wqb.guiyang.gov.cn]

Interactive participation for effective learning

The 50 participants came from various government departments in Guiyang and Gui'an, districts, county-level cities, counties, development zones, liaison offices, universities administered by Guiyang, research institutions, and reception places for foreign visits. They all had a certain level of English proficiency and were actively engaged in frontline foreign-related work.

During the training, instructors combined theoretical knowledge with the local context of Guiyang, integrating classroom discussions with the backgrounds of the participants.

Participants actively engaged in activities such as translation readings, interpretation simulations, and Q&A sessions, sharing experience and insights and fostering mutual learning and inspiration. Group presentations also showcased professional skills and external image of talents engaged in international exchanges.

A participant answers a question. [Photo/wqb.guiyang.gov.cn]

Integrating learning with application to enhance learning

The training program included "night classes" for English oral practice, discussions on key terms of current affairs related to the economic and social development of Guiyang and Gui'an, and appreciation of Guizhou international communication programs.

Activities like a guessing game strengthened basic foreign language communication skills, while a review of key points helped summarize essential aspects of the classes and explore entry points to further unleash the potential for opening-up in their work. An activity focusing on the sharing of key terms of current affairs delved into various fields of economic and social development, explaining the names and meanings of terms and discussing appropriate translations, featuring nearly 60 conceptual terms.

Participants found joy in speaking English, sought collaboration through communication, and developed skills through cooperation, creating a lively and enthusiastic atmosphere with continuous applause.

Yuan Yujia from Guiyang Tuyunguan Memorial to Chinese Red Cross Medical Relief Corps in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, shares her thoughts about the training program. [Photo/wqb.guiyang.gov.cn]

Through the training program, participants gained a better appreciation for the importance of opening-up in Guiyang and Gui'an and the construction of an international language environment.

They expressed their commitment to promptly translating the knowledge and thoughts gained from the training program into capabilities for fulfilling their duties, effectively improving their ability to tell the story of modernization in Guiyang and Gui'an in a Chinese way, and contributing to accelerating the pace of high-level opening-up in the new era.

What participants say:

Zou Cheng from Liaison Office of Guiyang Municipal People's Government in Shanghai: The curriculum, featuring comprehensive and in-depth content, consists of theoretical learning and practical exercises. Our actual needs in workplace were met by courses covering international etiquette, cross-cultural communication, business English, and diplomatic rhetoric, etc.

Wu Wenxi from Guiyang Bureau of Commerce: We encouraged each other and learned through recreation, acting like both teachers and friends. In a delightful atmosphere, we acquired in-depth, extensive, and diversified knowledge, just like sponge absorbing water. I am deeply honored and gratified to see abundant talent pipeline for Guiyang's "Strengthening Provincial Capital" campaign and high-level opening-up.

Liang Yaowen from Investment Promotion Bureau of Gui'an New Area: This training focused on improving personal capability and comprehensive literacy. I would apply the guiding principles concerning foreign work in business attraction field, contribute to the development of export-oriented economy and provide services for entrepreneurs bringing investment and seeking prosperity in Guiyang and Gui'an.

Wen Xin from Guiyang University: I was enlightened by the 5-day high-quality learning. Colleagues from different departments relating to foreign affairs need to safeguard national security around the clock, given the complex and turbulent international landscape.

Sun Xiaomei from Guiyang Confucius Academy Cultural Communication Center: This training program is such a precious learning opportunity that we have access to well-designed courses, rich learning contents and diversified resources. I will internalize what I have learned and externalize them in real practices, translating learning into tangible fruits at work.

Yuan Yujia from Guiyang Tuyunguan Memorial to Chinese Red Cross Medical Relief Corps in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression: I plan to apply the knowledge and skills learned in this training to practical work, especially in improving cross-cultural communication ability. I will pay more attention to understanding and respecting different cultural backgrounds, so as to better convey information in communication and reduce misunderstandings.