Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Bachelor of Education Program in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language is profoundly and holistically aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals by cultivating globally-competent educators who can build bridges of communication and cultural understanding. The curriculum's philosophy, emphasizing pedagogical excellence, intercultural competence, and innovation, makes it a powerful engine for achieving the SDGs. The program is the very embodiment of SDG 4 (Quality Education), with its entire focus on training qualified teachers to provide inclusive and equitable language education. This mission directly addresses SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by breaking down communication barriers and fostering mutual respect among diverse cultures. Furthermore, by equipping graduates for a vital global profession, the program supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Its focus on cross-cultural communication is fundamental to building peaceful and inclusive societies (SDG 16), promoting cultural heritage (SDG 11), and is built upon a foundation of extensive partnerships, embodying the spirit of SDG 17.
Best Practices
The Bachelor of Education Program in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Khon Kaen University, has demonstrated a commitment to driving sustainable development by recognizing the strategic role of the Chinese language in linking the regional economy under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the imperative to produce high-quality human capital aligned with the Thailand 4.0 strategy.
The curriculum thus designed integrated learning activities aimed at addressing the challenge of a scarcity of modern Chinese teaching media and fostering entrepreneurial skills, systematically integrating knowledge from core subjects, namely ED 003 009 Research and Innovation Development for Learning, ED 002 009 Curriculum Development and Learning Management Science, and ED 001 009 Innovation and Digital Technology for Learning. This enabled students to integrate research skills to diagnose learning gaps of youth in the region, design supplementary curricula focused on 21st-century competencies, and create tangible and contemporary prototype digital media innovation for Business and Logistics Chinese language learning.
The empirical results from piloting the digital media innovation in educational institutions created significant positive change, effectively elevating the Chinese language proficiency and critical thinking skills of secondary school learners. The broad, sustainable impact is the creation of a foundation of highly skilled human resources aligned with regional labor market demands, positioning youth for competition and elevating their entrepreneurial potential in line with the value-creation economy.
This strategically aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals across 3 core dimensions: SDG 4 (Quality Education) through ensuring quality education that is relevant and responsive to the needs of the era; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by equipping students with skills that lead to better employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which reflects the successful creation of strong partnerships between educational institutions and the economic sector to collectively drive shared goals.
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: This program is the essence of SDG 4. Its entire curriculum is designed to produce highly qualified teachers of Chinese for speakers of other languages. Every course, from pedagogy and curriculum design to language acquisition theories and extensive practicums, is focused on ensuring that all learners have access to high-quality language education, a critical skill for global citizenship and sustainable development.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| ED311001 | Education and Teachership | Forms the foundation of quality education by instilling the core principles and philosophy of the teaching profession, directly contributing to the supply of qualified teachers (Target 4.C). |
| ED312001 | Curriculum and Learning Management | Is fundamental to quality education, as it teaches the principles of designing effective, relevant, and inclusive curricula for all language learners (Target 4.1). |
| ED314013 | Instructional Media and Innovation in Chinese Language | Ensures quality education by training teachers to use modern technology and innovative materials to create effective and engaging learning experiences (Target 4.4). |
| ED314011 | Practicum in School 1 | Directly contributes to increasing the supply of qualified teachers through extensive, supervised practical training in real school environments (Target 4.C). |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthAlignment Summary: The program is a direct driver of decent work by preparing graduates for the teaching profession, a cornerstone of any society. Furthermore, it equips students with high-demand language skills that are valuable in business, tourism, and international relations, contributing to economic growth and creating high-value employment opportunities.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| ED313014 | Chinese for Business Communication | Directly supports decent work and economic growth by equipping students with the specific language skills required for international trade and commerce (Target 8.2). |
| ED314012 | Laws and Ethics for the Teaching Profession | Promotes decent work by ensuring that future teachers understand their labor rights and professional responsibilities, contributing to a safe and secure working environment (Target 8.8). |
SDG 10: Reduced InequalitiesAlignment Summary: This program is a powerful tool for reducing inequalities by providing access to the Chinese language, a key enabler of global and regional communication and economic opportunity. It places a strong emphasis on cross-cultural understanding, training teachers to empower and promote the social and academic inclusion of all learners, regardless of their linguistic or cultural background.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| ED312007 | Cross-cultural Communication | Directly aims to reduce inequality by fostering an understanding and respect for cultural diversity, promoting the social inclusion of all (Target 10.2). |
| ED313013 | Learning Management Process in Chinese Language | Contributes to reducing inequality by teaching how to adapt language instruction to empower and include learners with diverse needs, ensuring equal opportunity (Target 10.3). |
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesAlignment Summary: The program contributes to sustainable communities by fostering an appreciation for Chinese culture and arts. By training teachers who can share this cultural knowledge, the program helps to safeguard and promote intangible cultural heritage, which strengthens community identity and fosters intercultural understanding.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| ED312004 | Chinese Art and Culture for Teachers | Directly contributes to safeguarding and strengthening efforts to protect the world’s cultural heritage by equipping teachers to educate others about Chinese art and cultural traditions (Target 11.4). |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsAlignment Summary: The program is essential for building peaceful and inclusive societies by fostering intercultural communication and understanding. The ability to communicate across cultures, a core tenet of the curriculum, is fundamental to promoting peace, justice, and strong global and local institutions.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| ED312007 | Cross-cultural Communication | Promotes peaceful and inclusive societies by teaching the skills for effective and respectful dialogue between people from different cultures, which is essential for building mutual understanding and peace (Target 16.7). |
| ED103413 | Laws Related to Teachers and the Teaching Profession | Promotes the rule of law by ensuring teachers understand the legal framework that governs their profession and the education system, contributing to strong and just institutions (Target 16.3). |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program is built on a foundation of partnerships. The extensive school-based practicums represent a deep and sustained collaboration between the university and the education system, both locally and internationally, all working together to build capacity and achieve quality education for all.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| ED314011 | Practicum in School 1 | Represents an effective public-public partnership, building collaborative experience between the university and local schools to strengthen the education system (Target 17.17). |
| ED314012 | Practicum in School 2 | Enhances the partnership for sustainable development by deploying student teachers into communities, which builds domestic capacity in education (Target 17.9). |