Professional insight from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) is an international joint venture founded by Xi’an Jiaotong University in China and the University of Liverpool in the UK. As an independent Sino-foreign cooperative university, it captures the essence of both prestigious parent universities and is the first and only one of its kind approved by the Ministry of Education in China. The university offers about 90 degree programmes in science, engineering, business, finance, architecture, urban planning, language and culture, and all are taught in English, except for general and basic courses.

Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University campus

A teacher giving a student feedback

We use ChatGPT to give feedback on students’ abstracts

Teaching students whose first language is not English to write concise abstracts helps them develop their academic writing skills, but providing feedback on them can often be laborious. Here is how you can use ChatGPT to speed up the process

Yu Liu , Shuhao (Jeremy) Zhang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A teacher shaking hands with a student in class

Let me introduce you to the art of saying hello

A creative introduction sparks engagement, builds rapport and creates an atmosphere conducive to learning. Here are ways to make a good first impression

Vik Perez

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Students working at their laptops in class

Using GenAI tools to refine EAP assessment

There are several tools available to help English for academic purposes assess students’ writing skills. Here is some guidance on how to use a selection of them

Rui Xu (Tiffany) , Mengqi Hu

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A student smiling in class

Using emotions to boost learning

A professor explains how he leverages emotions to enhance students’ learning, using an approach called ‘mastering emotions in entrepreneurship education’

Vik Perez

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Question marks against a yellow background

Let students know they don’t know

Overconfidence often prevents students from being able to identify areas of weakness. As teachers, we must help them realise what they are

Tony So

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Student speaking to a teacher in front of laptop

Using philosophy to enhance online students’ critical thinking skills

Online courses often lack the kind of spontaneity that builds critical thinking skills. So how can we make up for this?

Garth Elzerman

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Five hands holding stars

Ways to empower EAP students to give high-quality feedback

Helping English for academic purposes students provide better quality feedback to their peers can give them more autonomy and free up teachers’ time

Jingfei Zhang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Student outside holding a notepad while thinking deeply

Want to increase student satisfaction? Activate higher-order thinking skills

Activating students’ higher-order thinking skills enhances student satisfaction, research shows. Here are some examples of ways to do it

Irina Shcheglova

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Professor at the front of a class full of students

Four things you can do right now to improve your teaching

Want to improve your teaching but not sure where to start? Rebecca Wakelin offers quick practical strategies that will kickstart efforts to enhance your teaching practice

Rebecca Wakelin

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Students creating a mindmap on a whiteboard

The humble whiteboard: the most flexible learning tool in your classroom

The whiteboard serves as a powerful tool to help students visualise concepts, facilitate group work and provide immediate feedback, aligning with the theory that knowledge is built through active, hands-on experiences

Alan Meek

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Students learning english in class

A new way of ensuring repeated EAP vocabulary exposure

Practical steps to enhance student vocabulary learning through a systematic approach that assures repeated exposure to important terms

Alan Meek , Jingfei Zhang, Lin Ma

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Young woman relaxing and using headphones to listen to a podcast in her living room

How to start a language-teaching podcast

Suggestions for teachers who want to create podcasts to supplement formal classroom learning, based on the experience of an English for academic purposes teacher

Chengchen Qian

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A business student taking optional courses to enhance her employability

Optional extracurricular modules can enhance business students’ employability

This resource offers guidance on how to design and promote extracurricular courses that you can offer alongside academic ones to boost employability

Yue Jiang, Nimesh Salike, Eddy Fang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Students playing a board game

Use gamification to teach complex international relations concepts

Simulations and games can significantly enhance students’ understanding of complex topics and help them apply relevant theories in real-world contexts

Linjia Zhang, Yingchan Luo

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Student in class smiling to camera

Four ways to integrate the SDGs into English language classes

Connecting the Sustainable Development Goals with language teaching and learning can provide meaningful learning experiences, writes Chaonan Xu

Chaonan Xu

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Student thinking at her desk

What is metacognition? Get students thinking about their thinking

What is metacognition and how can we get students to evaluate and improve their thinking?

Charlie Reis

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Co-create resources with students

Practical strategies for overcoming challenges in interdisciplinary project-based learning

Overcome project-based learning challenges with strategies aimed at empowering students to develop interdisciplinary skill sets

Na Li, Eng Gee Lim, Mark Leach

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

An illustration of a woman held back by red bindings

The challenges facing female leaders in higher education – and how to address them

Women still face many hurdles on the road to leadership in higher education. Qiuling Chao outlines how we can overcome them

Qiuling Chao

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Class of students using Etherpad to discuss learning points

Use Etherpad to improve engagement in large transnational classes

By leveraging technology to create an anonymous and collaborative space, educators can empower hesitant students to actively contribute and foster a more interactive and inclusive learning environment

Ying Feng

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Lecturer standing before a class full of pupils giving a lecture

Use a social approach to boost language learning

Using social activities fosters a more dynamic and meaningful connection between students and the language they’re learning. Yanfang Si offers guidance on building students’ knowledge and skills through structured social activities

Yanfang Si

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Students working together at a laptop

We used a hybrid escape room to dramatically boost student attendance

Low class attendance has been a growing trend since the pandemic, so how can we encourage students to come back? Educators at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University share their innovative strategy

Erick Purwanto, Na Li, Ting Ting Tay

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A female engineer overseeing a production line

Using simulation games to teach lean manufacturing

Simulation games can improve students’ understanding of lean manufacturing. Here are five tips for incorporating them into your teaching practice

Svetoslav G. Georgiev

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Students in a classroom, one of whom is raising her hand to ask a question

Simple solutions to the age-old challenge of classroom engagement

Drawing on his experience of teaching a microeconomics class of more than 200 students, Tony So shares failproof ways to engage students

Tony So

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Two men competing in basketball

How to encourage students to engage in the broader university offering

Getting involved in campus life beyond the classroom brings multiple benefits for students, so how can universities encourage greater participation in the range of activities on offer?

Irina Shcheglova

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Books and papers piled around an empty notepad with a pencil poised to write

Making the abstract concrete

Strategies for writing effective abstracts for conference and research papers

Steven Bateman, Yingchun Li

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Female student working while referring to books

How to manage assessment feedback in large classes? Get students involved

Delivering quality feedback for every individual student in a large class can be challenging. That is where peer feedback can help if structured and guided effectively, write four teaching academics

Steven Bateman, Shi-Min How, Chew Ging Lee , Jie Zhang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University , University of Southampton Malaysia

A tutor speaking to a student

Reframing feedback as a valuable learning tool

How to help students appreciate feedback as a useful aid to learning so that they engage with it in a productive way

Joseph Tinsley

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Student cameras turned on

Lights, camera, action: how to get students to turn on their cameras

Strategies to strengthen student engagement and build community in virtual learning environments by encouraging all students to turn on their cameras, by Clara Chapdelaine-Feliciati

Clara Chapdelaine-Feliciati

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Students enjoying an informal get together over coffee

The power of events to build belonging among students

XJTLU’s new Entrepreneur College had to work fast to build a sense of belonging among its first student cohorts, and one way it did this was by hosting a series of events. Xiaotong Lu shares the strategies adopted

Xiaotong Lu

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Young woman writing code

Three blended learning challenges and how to overcome them

Tips to improve student retention, engagement and participation drawn from teaching blended and online introductory computer programming courses, which cannot rely on in-person labs

Erick Purwanto, Thomas Selig, Na Li

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Image showing someone trapped in a glass jar, trying to be heard

Breaking language barriers: supporting non-native English-speaking students

Steps that tutors can take to better support students who are non-native speakers of English and ensure they feel included and able to play an active role in their university community

Jiajun Liu, Qian Wang , Shuai Wang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Decolonise a reading list

A global effort to decolonise a reading list

Academics and students from five countries worked together to decolonise a reading list for a public health module, through a global lens. Here, they describe how they did it

Zheng Feei Ma, Kim Duffy, Juming Shen

University of the West of England Bristol, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Student working online

Meaning making: how universities can boost the uptake of edtech among faculty

The key to promoting the uptake of new edtech tools and teaching innovation among faculty, based on research

Na Li, Xiaojun Zhang, Maria Limniou

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Virtual summit

Experiential education through a simulated summit to combat human trafficking

Advice on setting pedagogical goals and planning a simulated international summit to support experiential learning for remote students, by Clara Chapdelaine-Feliciati

Clara Chapdelaine-Feliciati

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Animation showing students working together to answer a question

Tech tools that boost student engagement through competition and interaction

Digital tools that promote interaction and competition in class can have notable benefits to learning, as Yuyang Zhao explains, based on her use of quizzes

Yuyang Zhao

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A student watching a lecture online at home

Strategies to motivate students in asynchronous learning

The self-directed nature of asynchronous learning makes it easy for students to disengage. Guhuai Jiang and Jiayu Zhou offer strategies that boost students’ motivation when working on their own

Guhuai Jiang , Jiayu Zhou

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Image depicting the use of technology to support teaching strategies

Use technology to hook students’ interest when teaching online

Used strategically, technology can be employed to make teaching more entertaining and engaging. Luqian Huang shares examples of how to use digital tools to support effective pedagogies

Luqian Huang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A remote student working in a group with other students via an online meeting

Lessons in helping remote students obtain practical work experience

Universities face obstacles in helping distance learners access practical work experience. Ewout van der Schaft and Alex Mackrell share insight from initiatives at their business school

Ewout van der Schaft, Alex Mackrell

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Image of students in a group discussion

Teaching English for academic mediation and discussion using team games

Using English for academic discussion and mediation is a challenge for students who are not native speakers. Laura McNabb shares classroom games that help students learn the language skills they need

Laura McNabb

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Image representing the uncertainty of the future

How we used a business management theory to help students cope with uncertainty

Uncertainty is a major challenge to mental health so a team at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University used a business management tool to help students cope with worries about the future. Here, they explain how

Zheng Feei Ma, Jian Li Hao, Yu Song, Peng Liu

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Image depicting effective teamwork

Training students in effective teamwork and collaboration

The ability to work effectively as part of a team is a vital life skill. Steven Bateman, Yan Jin and Jie Zhang explain how they support and train students in teamwork

Steven Bateman, Yan Jin, Jie Zhang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Image of generic news publications

Tips for sharing your research and professional expertise with consumer media

Academics can offer insight based on research and professional experience that is applicable far beyond the scope of academic journals. Samuel Kim Kwong Kwok shares a guide to engaging with the mainstream consumer media

Samuel Kim Kwong Kwok

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Image showing co-authors working on a paper

Coordinating co-authors

Co-authoring with other researchers can result in more ambitious and exciting papers than solo endeavours but is also fraught with potential hiccups. Steven Bateman and Jie Zhang share advice on keeping collaborative work on track

Steven Bateman, Jie Zhang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

An image representing a faculty member calling for IT support on a technical problem

Developing a faculty-IT partnership for seamless teaching support

A simple way to ensure quicker and more transparent handling of technical hiccups that builds trust between teaching faculty and IT teams, explained by Xin Bi

Xin Bi

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Creating interactive online learning that keeps students engaged

Boosting student engagement in an online learning environment

Lack of student engagement creates challenges when language learning moves online. Yuyang Zhao explains how to create an interactive environment that helps mitigate some of the key issues

Yuyang Zhao

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Questions for educators to ask about students use of machine translation

Machine translation: the questions educators need to ask

Language translation software is an increasingly powerful and widely used tool, but how is it used by students learning in a second language, and what challenges does this present to their teachers? Andy McIntosh highlights some practical and ethical considerations

Andy McIntosh

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Advice on moving from printed to digital teaching materials to improve student engagement and sustainability

How using digital workbooks can increase student engagement and help institutions go green

How to move from printed to digital workbooks rich with interactive content such as audio, video and quizzes, to improve online learning outcomes while boosting sustainability

Yan Wei, Paul Tuck

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Advice on applying action learning to student surveys to improve teaching practices

Using action learning to improve interdisciplinary online teaching

A guide to using action learning – questioning knowledge to find solutions – to evaluate and improve teaching practices, based on research by Na Li, Qian Wang, Jiajun Liu and Victoria Marsick

Na Li, Qian Wang , Jiajun Liu, Victoria Marsick

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University , Columbia University

Advice on using music as a way to bring students together and rebuild a sense of community on campus

Play on: how to build community on campus through music

Nick Merwitzer explains why and how music projects can help build a sense of connection and belonging on campus and outlines the key considerations for supporting student ‘bands’

Nick Merwitzer

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Research backed advice on managing different national cultures to encourage engagement with learning technology

How does national culture affect the adoption of learning technology?

Na Li, Xiaojun Zhang and Maria Limniou offer tips to counter the hidden cultural and social factors that reduce acceptance of virtual learning environments, based on their research

Na Li, Xiaojun Zhang, Maria Limniou

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University