Suzhou Teacher Development Centre in China’s Jiangsu province is looking for a UK provider to lead an interactive professional training course for local music teachers in Suzhou.

Expectations
Participants in the course are expected to gain an understanding of the delivery and structure of music courses in UK schools. They should be able to adapt the UK’s teaching philosophy and pedagogy to their own class needs with the aim of maximising student engagement, raising student attainment, and helping students discover the joy of music, encouraging further study.

Training requirements

Length:
Two five-day courses (from 27 June to 8 July 2016)

Number of trainers:
One trainer from the UK
• must be a qualified music teacher with at least five years of professional experience
• a background in teacher training in an international context is desirable

Number of trainees:
60 teachers from primary and secondary schools (30 each course)

Location:
Suzhou Teacher Development Centre or selected school campus in Suzhou, Jiangsu province

Format:
Lecture-based training with practice sessions

Contents:
• introduction of the UK’s music teaching philosophy and pedagogy
• introduction of music course structures in UK schools
• teaching programmes for different age groups (students aged 6-11, 12-15 and 16-18)
• specific music subjects and courses, such as singing, rhythm, simple instrument playing, and general music appreciation
• suggestions for facilities and resources for music lessons on- and off-campus
• advice on creating an inspiring environment for pupils to enjoy music and develop their creativity
• videos of music lessons being delivered in UK schools (optional)

About Suzhou Teacher Development Centre
Suzhou Teacher Development Centre was founded in 2012 and is affiliated with Suzhou Education Bureau. It is the first centre in Jiangsu province set up specifically to advance the professional development of teachers. It provides various in-service training programmes for teachers and head teachers at both a local and provincial level, and aims to enhance cooperation and exchange with overseas educational institutions to improve teaching in Jiangsu’s schools. Each year it delivers professional training in at least five subject areas for up to 1,000 teachers at provincial level and 2,000 teachers at city level in Suzhou.

About Suzhou
Located about 85 km northwest of Shanghai, Suzhou is a major city in Jiangsu province and one of China’s top tourist attractions. It is home to 1,150 schools with approximately 1.3 million students

Timeline
Proposal submission deadline: 15 May 2016
Selected UK partner confirmed: 25 May 2016
Completion of negotiations and signing of agreements between the UK institution and the British Council: 20 May 2016
Start date of the first week of music training in Suzhou: 27 June 2016

UK institutions interested in this opportunity should send the below information to siem.china@britishcouncil.org.cn by Friday 6 May 2016, 12 noon GMT.
• a training proposal with a brief introduction of your organisation and the provider’s CV
• a quotation outlining all the costs for two five-day training programmes suitable for two groups of 30 teachers, including any expenses for the trainer, such as accommodation, meals, and local and international transportation.

Additional Information

The British Council will charge a 20 per cent management fee based on the final programme price. The management fee will cover liaison between the UK trainer and Chinese partner, pre-training set up, post-training follow up, and on-site visits. Please include the management fee in the quotation after all other costs have been accounted for.

The training programmes will be delivered in English. Suzhou Teacher Development Centre will arrange and cover the costs for an interpreter to assist during the teaching.