Alkira Secondary College principal Ian McKenzie officially opened the Chinese Exploratorium at the school with the Chinese Vice Consul Education Chi Gang.
By Bridget Cook
ALKIRA Secondary College has furthered its commitment to teaching students the Mandarin language with the opening of its Chinese Exploratorium this month.
The Cranbourne North school’s principal Ian McKenzie officially opened the Chinese Exploratorium on 16 August with the Chinese Vice Consul Education Chi Gang.
The Exploratorium was a gift to the school from the Chinese government through the Office of the Chinese Language Council International (HANBAN).
It consists of six interactive touch screens which covers a range of aspects of the Chinese culture.
“It covers the main aspects of a country – music, food, culture, major cities, character development,” Mr McKenzie said.
“Students learn in a personalised and individualised manner. As an interactive medium it engages the students immediately.
“Because it is interactive, students are encouraged to study at an independent pace without the traditional teacher being present.”
Alkira has Mandarin as its preferred second language and has been teaching it at the school for the past four years.
The school has also developed a sister school in Nanjing. Four staff and 10 students are set to go on exchange to the school next month and live with local families.
The college has also been awarded Confucius Classroom status in recognition of its work in teaching Mandarin to its students.
The Confucius Classroom Program’s aim is to stimulate and support innovative teaching and learning of Chinese language and culture.
The program is funded by the HANBAN and is administered in Victoria by the Confucius Institute of the University of Melbourne.
“Alkira is a college ensuring that our students are aware of the importance of Asia, in this, the Asian century,” Mr McKenzie said.
