Report on Scottish Principals' Visit 香港和苏格兰学校校长及教师代表团来我校访问

　　The Hong Kong and Scottish educators visited Xiwai in order to learn more about our integrated Chinese and international curriculum, our methods of teaching and teacher training, and how we put our philosophy of global citizenship education into practice both inside and outside of the classroom. The delegation spent an entire day at Xiwai, and their visit provided ample opportunities for academic exchange, discussion, and reflection.

　　The day started with a welcome reception in Mrs. Sun Linlin’s traditional Chinese culture classroom on the first floor of the Library Building. Head of School Dr. Lin Min shared his philosophy of teaching and learning and his vision for the future of international education, while International Middle and High School Principal Enrico Piccinini provided an overview of Xiwai and how we train and develop innovative, “entrepreneurial” teachers. High School Director of Domestic Deparment Zhang Xiaofeng spoke about our Makerspace program and how we are trying to realize the concept of a school as an “innovation factory”.

　　Next, the delegates had an opportunity to observe Chinese-taught Math classes in both the International Primary and Middle School departments.

　　These were followed by lengthy, stimulating feedback sessions during which the visitors were able to speak with Xiwai teachers as well as students. A wide variety of topics was discussed, including the differences in content and teaching between China and Scotland, techniques for motivating students, and the best ways to assess student progress.

　　A common refrain from the delegates was that the teaching at Xiwai was much more open, creative, and cutting-edge than they had expected to see at a school in mainland China!

　　In the afternoon, the visitors were treated to Chinese Art and Music classes before winding things down as the school day neared its end. For both the delegates and our own Xiwai principals and teachers, the visit was an incredible success: knowledge was gained, new friendships were forged, and all participants came away feeling enriched and rewarded by the experience.

　　Though we are proud of the warm praise that Xiwai received from the delegates, we will strive to improve even further. The work of building a great school is never finished, but it is made easier when we can benefit from the insights of fellow educators from around the globe. We look forward to welcoming our new friends back in the not-too-distant future!

　　5月11日（星期四），西外迎来了由Principal Cheung Siu Ming （Principal of Hong Kong’s Creative Secondary School）率领的香港和苏格兰的校长及教师代表团。香港和苏格兰的教育工作者访问了西外，了解我校的中西融合课程、教学和师资培训以及我们培养全球公民的教育实践理念。代表团在西外呆了整整一天，他们的访问促进了国际间的学术交流、讨论和反思。

　　我们在图书馆大楼一楼孙琳琳老师的中国传统文化教室接待了远道而来的代表团。校长林敏博士分享了他的教学理念和他对未来国际教育的展望。高中国际课程部校长Enrico Piccinini则讲述了西外如何培养和发展“创业型”教师的理念。而高中国内部主任张晓峰也谈到了我们的Makerspace计划，以及我们如何努力实现“创新工厂”的理念。

　　为了体验我校课程，代表们在小学双语国际课程部和中学课程部中观摩了几节数学课。课后，访问学者们与西外的师生进行了沟通和交流，包括中苏（苏格兰）两方在内容上与教学上的差异，并探讨激励学生的技巧以及评估学生进步的最佳方式。代表们表示，西外的教学比中国大陆的其他学校更加开放，更具创意，更走在时代的前沿！

　　下午，在即将结束的访问中，访客们亲身体验了我校的中国艺术与音乐课程。对于代表团和我们的外方校长、教师来说，这次访问取得了令人难以置信的成功：我们获得了知识，收获了新的友谊，所有参与者都感受到了这次经历所带来的丰富的回报。

　　西外为代表们的热烈好评而感到骄傲自豪，同时我们也将努力不断提高自己。虽然未来任重而道远，但我们可以从全球教育工作者的见解中获益，从而加快工作的完成。我们期待未来有更多来自世界各地的教育同行，来到西外，同我们一同探讨国际教育。