——An Interview with Louisa, Foreign Teacher of the Greek Major
Louisa in class
Louisa, a foreign teacher of the Greek major at the School of Occidental Languages, joined the university in September 2025. She teaches courses including History of Greek Literature, Greek News Audio-Visual, and History of Ancient Greek Philosophy. She also supervises student clubs such as the Greek Speaking Corner and the Greek Fun Knowledge Quiz Club, and uses her spare time to provide tutoring for proficiency exams. She highly praises the internationalization achievements of Jilin International Studies University (hereinafter referred to as JISU) and is fully devoted to foreign language teaching. Her teaching proficiency and professionalism have won unanimous praise from both faculty and students. Recently, reflecting on her teaching experience, Louisa shared her thoughts and impressions of teaching at the university.
Attracted by JISU’s Internationalized Education
As a young master’s or doctoral graduate, my decision to come to China, specifically to Jilin Province, gradually took shape during my graduate studies at Southwest University in Chongqing. There, I had the opportunity to familiarize myself with the Chinese education system and developed a strong interest in cross-cultural education. I chose Jilin International Studies University because it is an institution guided by internationalized education and places great emphasis on cultivating international talents.
Upon arriving in Changchun, I was deeply impressed by the city’s orderly management and the region’s rapid development. Daily life here is both comfortable and secure, and the people are incredibly friendly and helpful. I believe Jilin Province possesses tremendous development potential. With steady economic growth, high educational standards, and continuously strengthening opening-up policies, it offers numerous opportunities for advancing international exchanges and cooperation across various fields.
JISU is a Student-Centered University
I arrived at JISU in September 2025. My first impression was excellent: modern campus facilities, an orderly environment, and a profound emphasis on educational quality. What attracted me most was the university’s commitment to internationalization, evidenced by the construction of the world multicultural education center—the Global Village of JISU—which provided me with the opportunity to teach Greek in a truly multicultural environment.
JISU is a student-centered university. Its educational philosophy is dedicated that all we do is for students to learn, grow and succeed, and this is reflected in daily teaching practices. The principle of “Student-Centered, Most Responsible Education” consistently encourages students to engage in hands-on practice, develop critical thinking, and foster personal growth. In my view, this philosophy is effectively implemented through interactive classrooms, personalized guidance, and the encouragement of creativity.
The “Global Village” Plays a Vital Role in Language Teaching and Practice
In my view, universities in Greece generally place greater emphasis on dialogue and the development of critical thinking. Compared to them, JISU stresses practical application and adopts a more systematic and orderly approach to internationalized education, exchange, and cooperation.
In my teaching, I strive to combine the strengths of Greek universities and JISU, encouraging students to actively engage in language practice. I have found that through this approach, students’ communication skills have significantly improved, and they have become more confident. The Global Village of JISU plays a crucial role in language teaching because it provides an authentic environment for language practice. I utilize it for dialogue scenario simulations, cultural activities, and experiential learning. The results have been remarkable: student participation is more proactive, and their language use is more natural.
A Strong Sense of Collective Belonging at JISU
JISU boasts a highly qualified and collaborative faculty. The working atmosphere is positive and mutually supportive. What impressed me most was the helpfulness and teamwork spirit of my colleagues in the Greek Department. The many moments we have collaborated have truly enhanced our collective sense of belonging.
From the very beginning, I felt welcomed and integrated into JISU, as everyone greeted me warmly and consistently cared about my professional growth and development. I am especially grateful to my colleague Li Xiangxue, who has always supported me when I needed it and guided me appropriately, helping me become a better educator.
Striving to Cultivate Students’ Cross-Cultural Communication Skills
The students at JISU are hardworking, responsible, and eager to learn. They demonstrate perseverance, respect for teachers, and a keen interest in foreign cultures. These qualities facilitate their rapid progress and continuous growth.
As a foreign teacher, I believe strengthening cross-cultural communication is vital. This can be achieved by comparing different cultures, using real-world case studies, and encouraging open-minded thinking. The goal is to enable students to understand both their own culture and other cultures, thereby becoming a “bridge” connecting different civilizations.
Building a Bridge for Mutual Learning Between Chinese and Greek Civilizations
Moving forward, my goal is to continuously improve my teaching proficiency and contribute more to the university’s international development. This includes promoting the Greek language and culture, participating in the development of new teaching programs, collaborating with more Greek universities, and fostering cross-cultural communication and the cultivation of international talents.
Both Chinese and Greek cultures are among the world’s oldest civilizations, boasting rich histories, cultures, and languages. I hope to become a key driving force behind the “bridge” connecting Chinese and Greek cultures, bringing the two nations closer together. I look forward to gradually turning this vision into reality over the next five to ten years, with the support of JISU.
Source: Publicity Department, University Newspaper Issue No. 582
