By BRIDGET COOK
A GROUP of Alkira Secondary College students are off to China this month to help give them a competitive edge in the Asian century.
Eight students and one teacher from the Cranbourne North school are among the first to participate in the State Government’s $13 million Victorian Young Leaders to China Program.
The program will see the students head to China on 18 March for six weeks, along with their Mandarin teacher Mona Tong.
Students will spend one week in intensive Mandarin language training, one week visiting key cultural sites and four weeks in classes at leading schools in Shanghai and Nanjing, capital of Victoria’s sister-state Jiangsu Province.
While presenting blazers to the students last week Minister for Education Martin Dixon said that the program was an investment in the future of Victoria and its position of having the most Asia-ready workforce in Australia.
“We are giving Victorian students a competitive educational advantage in the Asian century, with a program that is designed to strengthen leadership, languages and intercultural skills,” he said.
“This program targets year nine students at a time in their school lives when what they learn about themselves, other cultures, subjects and languages can make a lasting difference to their future.”
Mr Dixon also presented iPads to the nine educators, including Ms Tong, who will accompany the students and participate in a tailored professional development program.
“These educators will bring back to Victoria what they have learned in some of the world’s highest performing school systems,” he said.
“The benefits of this program will extend far beyond the students and educators taking part – it will be a catalyst for promoting Chinese language and culture in schools across the state.”
Alkira Seconday College principal Ian McKenzie said the school was chosen to take part in the inaugural program due to its rich history and culture around the teaching of Mandarin.
“As foundation principal of Alkira, I was instrumental in introducing Mandarin as our second language and, in addition, Alkira is an Asia literate school where the study of Asia permeates the curriculum,” he said.
“The immersion programme will help our students consolidate their learning.
“As we have often heard, this is the Asian Century and so our students must look outside their own backyard, towards China, India, Korea and Indonesia.
“Cultural understanding supported by language study will help our students in their future endeavours.”
