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Congratulations to Dr Caitríona Osborne who was recently awarded a 2021/2022 College-Level Excellence in Teaching Award. The UCD Teaching & Learning awards “celebrate the achievements of colleagues who make an outstanding contribution in the pursuit of teaching excellence and the enhancement of student learning.” Dr Osborne was awarded a college-level award for her ongoing commitment to teaching excellence and her students.
Speaking at the award ceremony hosted by UCD Teaching & Learning on Tuesday 10th January 2022, Professor Jason Last, Dean of Students, congratulated awardees for their successes and efforts. Acting Registrar and Deputy President, Professor Barbara Dooley, noted Dr Osborne’s innovation in teaching Chinese characters to beginner learners. Ms Áine Galvin, Director of Teaching & Learning in UCD, noted that across the University some 3,400 nominations were received with over 1,200 faculty being nominated. Dr Osborne was one of 89 awardees.
On acceptance of her award, Ms Áine Galvin noted Dr Osborne’s achievements:
“Dr Caitríona Osborne teaches Chinese as a foreign language to undergraduate students and Chinese teaching methodologies on the MA in Teaching Chinese Language and Culture in UCD. Having once been a beginner learner of Chinese, Caitríona incorporates innovative and evidence-based Chinese character-teaching methods to enhance the beginner learner experience. Students attest to Caitríona’s ability to explain complex issues using accessible language and note her enthusiasm, welcoming nature, and support to each individual student in the classroom. As an active researcher, she implements research-informed teaching – including innovative character-teaching methods – to improve student experience and foster autonomy in their Chinese language learning.”