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Cengage Learning, a leading global provider of innovative teaching, learning and research solutions, today announced an agreement with the National Institute of Education Sciences (NIES), the research arm of the China Ministry of Education, and Educational Testing Service (ETS) to research and analyze the state of K-12 English language education in China.
Through this agreement, Cengage Learning will fund a project in which NIES will conduct research exploring the qualities and attributes of English language instruction to K-12 students. By conducting this research, NIES hopes to better assess the overall practice of English language teaching aimed at improving the quality of English language instruction in China. ETS will provide consulting support for the NIES research project, including training for NIES staff on research methods and providing the tools necessary for analyzing and validating research findings.
“We are excited to be setting out on this important research venture with NIES and ETS,” said Dennis Hogan, senior vice president, executive director, National Geographic Learning. “The combined expertise and efforts of these three organizations will undoubtedly produce useful results based on the in-depth research that will take place over the next few years. We look forward to working together and assisting NIES in their efforts.“
“ETS is delighted to participate in this project to enhance English language instruction and assessment in China. We look forward to working with teachers, researchers, and educators in China to design training courses and create materials that will help to improve the quality of English language instruction in China,” said Scott Paris, vice president of research, ETS.
“This contract signing ceremony is a small step for NIES, Cengage Learning and ETS, but an important and solid step for the industry,” said Yuan Zhenguo, president, NIES. “Teachers are the key to improving the quality of education in China. We hope that this research project will provide Chinese K-12 English teachers with adequate professional development opportunities and help to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of English language teaching.”
About Cengage Learning
Cengage Learning (cengage.com) is a leading provider of innovative teaching, learning and research solutions for the academic, professional and library markets worldwide. The company’s products and services are designed to foster academic excellence and professional development, increase student engagement, improve learning outcomes and deliver authoritative information to people whenever and wherever they need it. Through the company’s unique position within both the library and academic markets, Cengage Learning is providing integrated learning solutions that bridge from the library to the classroom. Cengage Learning’s brands include National Geographic Learning, Brooks/Cole, Course Technology, Delmar, Gale, Heinle, South-Western and Wadsworth, among others. Cengage Learning is headquartered in Stamford, CT.
About Educational Testing Service
At ETS (ets.org), we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education, as well as conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually — including the TOEFL® and TOEIC ® tests, the GRE ® tests and The Praxis Series™ assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide.
About the National Institute of Education Sciences
The National Institute of Education Sciences (NIES) was established in 1941. It is a comprehensive research institution of education sciences under the Ministry of Education. NIES has been systematically carrying out research on theories in education and strategies in education reform and development, thus providing important intellectual support to the scientific development of the Chinese education system. Looking into the future, NIES will focus upon the main theoretical and practical issues arising in the process of education reform and development to facilitate national decision making. It will establish an open, orderly, and standard management system and operation mechanism of clear responsibilities and scientific evaluation to improve its research standards. Aiming at performing outstanding research that reflects national standards and international vision, NIES will build itself into an educational think tank with Chinese characteristics so as to make greater contributions to education reform and development in China.
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