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Oxford Forward OXFORD October 2016 Forward Foreword FORWARD Instilling qualities of mind A new school year opens up new opportunities for both students and teachers. It is also the time when we renew our belief in learning and reiterate our commitment to 21st century education. This means education that provides the environment for young people to develop not just functional skills, but also qualities of mind. These qualities include creativity, collaboration and innovation, critical thinking, and mental flexibility. Education also helps students convert the information they are constantly bombarded with into knowledge. As knowledge is also acquired through reading books, it is essential for schools to cultivate a love of reading. Books make it easier to understand the world around In this issue us and better integrate into society. They create a world of imagination and show Students’ pages that everything is possible. Puzzles and games for The way we read is also important. Good avid English learners— teachers encourage their students to think feel free to photocopy about the different ideas and opinions, these pages for your and understand the writer’s points of view students before accepting or rejecting them. As students continue to read and reflect on p. new thoughts, they start forming their own 6 beliefs and values, and come up with new ways to solve problems. Reading books Watch this space is also vital for learning new languages. Things to look out for in Exposure to words used in context can Noticeboard Inspiring a love of the coming months dramatically improve second-language Vice-Chancellor of the language learners’ speaking fluency and writing skills. University of Oxford Simon Winchester p. 8 Uniquely positioned to create great books visits Hong Kong discusses reading, and engaging educational content, we writing and the at OUP are committed to education, p. 2 extraordinary language opportunity and learning. We work with that is English parents, teachers and other educators, Jasper Tsang talks enrich lives by fostering passionate readers at the Hong Kong p.4 and learners, and prepare young people Book Fair for the challenges of the 21st century. p. 3 Dr V. Gasper Editorial Manager, English Language Teaching Department Oxford Forward issue 8 | 1 Noticeboard Media interview: Professor Louise Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford Oxford Forward attended the group When asked about the main challenge media interview with Professor Louise ahead of her, Professor Richardson’s Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of the response reflects the University of University of Oxford, Ms Mei-mei Ng, Oxford’s commitment to maintaining General Manager of Oxford University its global position in today’s rapidly Press (China) and Mr Adrian Mellor, changing world. To achieve that, she Managing Director of Asia Education, argues the university has to be ‘flexible Oxford University Press, held at the and adaptable, to always look for business centre of the Mandarin Oriental. opportunities and respond to them, to Journalists from Apple Daily and adapt to the forces of globalization and Hong Kong Economic Times were keen new technologies’. to know more about one of the most Her opinion on the secret of Oxford’s prestigious universities in the world and ‘These are qualities of mind success is clear: ‘it’s all about people— its 272nd Vice-Chancellor. attracting the best academics, the rather than particular skills. best students, the best staff’. And And those qualities are belief her responsibility is to ‘create an in evidence, … the confidence environment in which they can best work’. to always question, be On equipping future leaders with prepared to speak truth to the skills they need, Professor power, … to think reasonably Richardson believes universities and rationally, and be open must ensure that students know and willing to change’ how to think critically, how to analyse and argue, and be flexible. Professor Richardson also argues that it is the mark of an educated person Professor Richardson took up her post She argues that universities are to be ‘willing to change … in the light on 1 January 2016 and made her first visit educating young people today for future of evidence or argument, and that is to Hong Kong as Vice-Chancellor at the jobs that we cannot even imagine so essential for a responsible citizen and beginning of September. She is also the they will need ‘qualities of mind rather the hallmark of leadership’. first woman to head the university in its than particular skills’. She explains that more than 800-year history; however, acquired functional skills will have to be The interview moves from leadership she wishes that this was not considered re-learnt over time as technology changes, skills to education and its power to newsworthy. Although she doesn’t but the ‘qualities of mind’ that we need transform lives. ‘This is what makes deny the symbolic significance of her to instil in students will be a constant. the work of Oxford University Press appointment, she looks forward to the day ‘And those qualities are belief in evidence, so important because it expands the when gender is not considered relevant … the confidence to always question, be reach of the university,’ she adds and adds that it is equally important for prepared to speak truth to power, … to passionately. ‘We have 22,000 students at people to realize that ‘leadership comes in think reasonably and rationally, and be Oxford University, all in the UK, whereas all shapes, forms, colours’. open and willing to change.’ the work of OUP expands the educated world. Their success feeds into the institution’s success.’ 2 | Oxford Forward issue 8 When asked about the Hong Kong how other people see things, … realize loves to escape to the fictional world of contingent at Oxford, Professor that the world is a complicated place’. stories every night. Her love of reading Richardson acknowledges that although started in her childhood and she made small, it has always been fairly constant. ‘Learning languages helps sure her children grew up surrounded She doesn’t separate students by their you get into the mindset by books and passionately committed nationality, and firmly believes that any of another culture and to reading. ‘There is nothing more student coming to Oxford is ‘very smart, important for children than reading,’ very hard-working, very hard-driven and appreciate how other people she is adamant. Her message to all parents very ambitious’. see things, … realize that the is very clear: ‘If a parent can do one thing for their child, instilling a love of reading As a political scientist, Professor world is a complicated place’ to me is more important than all the Richardson has written widely and Professor Richardson comments on the lessons and training and lectured on international security and fabulous range of fiction and non-fiction everything else.’ defence policy, and the interview focuses written by people in different parts of on her work on terrorist movements. She the world. And her advice, based on her is asked about what suggestions she may personal experience, is straightforward: have for ordinary Hong Kong students so just expose yourselves as widely as you they can better understand the political can. She acknowledges the dangers of situation. Her response is animated and the Internet and argues that it is very straightforward: they should read a lot important for educators to train young and interact with people who are different people on ‘the difference between from them. That is why she thinks information and knowledge, not to studying abroad will have a very positive mention wisdom’. impact. She also recommends learning other languages and highly praises the When asked to name one book that has work of OUP on teaching English as a influenced her a lot, Professor Richardson foreign language. She firmly believes that finds it very hard to answer as, in her ‘learning languages helps you get into the opinion, there are so many wonderful mindset of another culture and appreciate books. She reads a lot despite her busy schedule and demanding lifestyle. She also reads a lot of fiction to stay sane and Jasper Tsang and the English Language On 21 July, The Hon Jasper Tsang, President of the Legislative Council at the time, took to the stage at the Hong Kong Book Fair to discuss his highly anticipated title《英語•人生 曾鈺成》 and rhapsodize about his relationship with English throughout his childhood and illustrious career. He chatted with long-time friend and distinguished literati, Mr Tsim Tak-lung, and OUP Publishing Director, Ms Christine Chau, about all things English: his gratitude towards English teacher John Eynon, being crowned ‘Grammar Prince’ in school, Hollywood songs, the challenges of Chinese-English translations and vice versa, the distinct personality of every English word and the importance of ‘knowing the rules and memorizing the exceptions’ in language usage. The speakers’ scintillating exchange provided the audience with a personal glimpse into the world of this political luminary and concluded with a flurry of media coverage. 《英語•人生 曾鈺成》 is the third instalment in Oxford’s 閱讀英語系列 , a series established with the aim of providing enriching and empowering reading experiences. If you haven’t got your copy yet,《英語•人生 曾鈺成》 , brimful of eloquent prose and humorous reflections on the English language, is sure to make a delightful autumn read. Oxford Forward issue 8 | 3 Inspiring a love of language Oxford Forward recently met with Simon Winchester, OUP author and acclaimed British writer, journalist and broadcaster, to talk about the exquisite joys and powers of reading, the delicate art of writing and his love of the extraordinary language that is English. Speaking from the breakfast lounge at Kim, in English. ‘It’s a great adventure And you’re very privileged, as a writer, to the Mandarin Oriental, the author and story, beautifully told by a writer who be interpreting that for people to read.” journalist’s ventures and conversance has a wonderful command of the English So I try to live like that,’ he says.
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