About Us
The English Learning Centre (ELC) serves as a central pillar of the Jinan University –University of Birmingham Joint Institute (J-BJI) and its international talent cultivation framework. Our mission is to transform English from a mere examination tool into a key for exploring the world, empowering learners to pursue high-level academic and professional careers both in China and abroad.
As a vital department within the Institute, the ELC features a dedicated team of language educators from diverse backgrounds. We provide a robust academic programme that integrates English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and intensive IELTS preparation with a variety of optional courses. By synergising academic English with intercultural competence, strengthening language application through immersive practical activities, and promoting collaborative teaching and research between Chinese and international faculty, we ensure that cultural understanding is deeply embedded in language education. Our curriculum is designed to develop students' language skills, academic proficiency, and intercultural ways of thinking, enabling them to communicate with confidence in global settings.
To further nurture student success, our targeted support system caters to a wide range of learning needs and preferences. We adopt a differentiated teaching approach, supplementing dynamic classroom lessons with personalised one-on-one and small-group tutoring. This comprehensive approach to language instruction fosters a supportive community where academic rigour and tailored guidance go hand in hand.
Our teaching achievements have received high recognition from the relevant authorities. During two rounds of quality review for Sino-foreign cooperative education programmes organized by the Ministry of Education, the expert panels spoke highly of the ELC's "Academic English + Personalised Diagnosis" model. They noted that this approach effectively addresses long-standing challenges in English teaching and, through practical and targeted individual support, helps students use English with confidence in academic contexts. It stands as a vivid example of a truly student-centred educational philosophy.
The consistent success of our students in securing placements at the world's top universities confirms that by successfully combining domestic and international educational resources, the ELC and J-BJI provide ample opportunities and support necessary for students to develop skills and competencies essential for global academic and professional success.
Our Faculty
Our team of expert language educators brings together effective instructional approaches across a range of pedagogical practices. We are committed to professional development and transformative education, ensuring that our teaching is proactive and impactful. By fostering a culture of mutual support and intellectual curiosity, our faculty members contribute to an inspiring and inclusive atmosphere for colleagues and students alike.
Robert
Robert Wood is the Assistant Director of Studies at the ELC. He began his teaching career in 2014, working with young learners in South Korea. He later moved into higher education and has been teaching at the university level in China since 2019. Across different educational settings, he has developed a strong ability to create engaging lessons, build meaningful relationships with students, and support learners from a wide range of academic backgrounds. He currently teaches English for Academic Purposes modules and university language courses designed to strengthen students' confidence and academic communication skills. With an MA in TESOL, he is currently completing a PhD in Applied Linguistics and TESOL, with a research focus on teacher wellbeing. He is known for his personal and student-centred teaching style, investing significant energy into motivating students, creating a positive classroom environment, and helping learners reach their full potential.
Selene
Chen Shilin (Selene) previously conducted academic research at the University of Hong Kong upon the completion of her Master's degree in Education, collaborating on a range of key research projects funded by the Education Bureau of Hong Kong. She embarked on her university-level teaching career in 2018, specialising in the integrated teaching of language and subject knowledge. Currently, she teaches EAP modules, IELTS courses and electives at the ELC. Blending solid research insights with refined teaching methodologies, she is adept at designing context-driven curricula to elevate learners' academic literacy, critical thinking and cross-disciplinary communication skills, and consistently supports students in excelling in academic study.
Joanne
Xu Yingying (Joanne) began her career as a private English tutor to former Olympic medallists and an instructor for the China Athletes Educational Foundation in 2009. She has since taught across different educational settings, from private language institutions to public universities, where she honed her ability to provide tailored one-on-one tutoring and design curriculum-aligned content for university courses. She currently teaches EAP modules, IELTS courses, and electives in Business English and Practical English. With an MA in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics and a BA in English Literature, Joanne has further completed IDP-accredited teacher training programmes in IELTS Writing and Speaking assessment criteria, enabling her to provide more specialised and effective guidance to her students.
Henry
Dr Tran Minh Hoang (Henry) holds both a Master's degree and a PhD in Applied English Linguistics. He has obtained Cambridge CELTA, Australian TESOL, and IELTS training certificates. At the ELC, he teaches English for Academic Purposes (EAP), IELTS, and optional courses including Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Introduction to Linguistics, and The History and Culture of UK and USA to first- and second-year students. His research interests involve second language acquisition, vocabulary teaching and learning, academic reading and writing, and testing and evaluation.
Laurence
Laurence Sheppard is an experienced English language assessment specialist and curriculum developer with over a decade of experience in education, training, and high-stakes assessment. He has worked extensively with international examination boards, including Cambridge Assessment and the British Council, where he has assessed qualifications such as IELTS, IGCSE, and A-Level English. He holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Essex, alongside a CertTESOL. His research focuses on the linguistic and communicative factors affecting IELTS speaking performance. In his current role as a lecturer at the ELC, he teaches IELTS and English for Academic Purposes (EAP), while also contributing to curriculum development and materials design.
David
Dr Dawid (David) Bernard Juraszek has spent nearly two decades in higher education, teaching English and related courses to undergraduate and postgraduate students at several universities, for which he has received multiple teaching awards. He holds a PhD in English Literature (with an interdisciplinary focus on cognitive ecocriticism and environmental education), a Master's degree in English Language Teaching, a Bachelor's degree in English Philology, a Graduate Diploma in International Relations, a Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management, and a PGCE Leadership & Management. As an associate professor at the ELC, David teaches advanced academic reading, provides personalised IELTS tutorials, and develops courses in English literature.
Our Courses
Our continuously evolving and expanding curriculum facilitates development of academic and language skills through a student-centred communicative approach. We offer a progressive range of modules, including rigorous EAP and specialised IELTS classes, underpinned by evidence-based instructional design. By integrating diverse learning resources, intercultural experiences, and elective options, we help every learner cultivate their language proficiency and intercultural competence.
Courses on offer in Academic Year 2025/2026：
Listening & Speaking English I
Listening & Speaking English II
English Writing I
English Writing II
English Reading I
English Reading II
Advanced Academic Writing
IELTS Course
Introduction to Linguistics
Identity and Wellbeing
Practical English
The History and Culture of UK and USA
Living with English
Business English
Extensive Reading
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
Join Us
We are always looking for passionate, forward-thinking educators to join our collaborative and supportive community. If you are looking for a workplace that values cultural exchange and excellence in teaching, we would love to welcome you to the team.
