Edinburgh College has launched a new partnership in China which will see the College play a key role in the teaching of Early Years education in one of the country’s major cities.

This month marked the start of the College’s new three-year English Language and Early Years Education Programme in China, developed in partnership with the Guangzhou Normal School of Primary Education (GNSPE) and the Guangzhou Ministry of Education.

Members of the College’s International and curriculum teams were warmly welcomed in Guangzhou by GNSPE staff and students, as well as Ministry officials at the programme opening ceremony at the school’s campus near Tianhe, in Guangzhou, China.

The ceremony was attended by a cohort of 50 high-achieving GNSPE students who have been selected for the course, and are embarking on their joint study programme taught in partnership between Edinburgh College and GNSPE. The Edinburgh College modules of the course are designed to complement and supplement the existing curriculum and will be delivered using a blended learning delivery model, with students studying online courses, as well as taking part in face-to-face classes taught by Edinburgh College lecturers in Guangzhou.

The aim of the programme is to provide students with greater English Language fluency and lessons specifically teaching English for Childcare. Additionally, students will be tutored in UK Early Years education principles and practices with a view to preparing students for work in the increasing number of bilingual and international nurseries and kindergartens being established in China, or for further study in the early years sector.

Edinburgh College head of Commercial Development Jane Grant said: “We are honoured to enter into such a prestigious partnership and to be teaching a very dedicated and committed group of students. This course demonstrates our College’s ability to provide high-quality teacher training overseas in both English Language and vocational subjects. We have been actively engaged in teacher training in the Guangzhou region for a number of years and we are excited to take this next step with a long-term programme.”

This new partnership is the latest addition to the College’s growing international portfolio which involves working with partners and organisations across the world to provide bespoke training programmes and courses to develop the skills of students and workforces.

To find out more about the English Language and Early Years Education Programme or the College’s wider international work please contact International Business Advisor victoria.paterson@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.