Six early years lecturers from South Eastern Regional College have completed a teacher exchange programme at Pingdingshan Vocational and Technical College in China.

The staff members, Gillian Auld, Tom Le Seelleur, Olive Watson, Elaine Baskerville, Diane Weatherup and Sara Hope, each delivered a two-week programme to Chinese students. The programme covered international perspectives in early childhood education, early childhood English, family and community engagement, children and the digital age, developing children's thinking and comprehension skills, and professional practice development.

The exchange is part of an ongoing partnership between the college and the China-Europe International Education Consulting Group, with Pingdingshan Vocational and Technical College as a partner institution.

SERC lecturer Gillian Auld described the experience as rewarding and noted that teaching large groups of up to 95 students in a lecture theatre pushed her to think differently about student engagement. She recommended the opportunity to colleagues as a unique professional and personal enrichment.

Elaine McKeown, the college's senior international development manager, said the project adds a new dimension to staff continuous professional development and exposes them to different pedagogical approaches and a unique cultural experience. She stated that the long-term commitment would extend to further staff and student opportunities for both SERC and its Chinese partners.

The college has indicated that feedback from students and staff in China was very positive.