'Once we come out of this economic downturn, Australia will look to Asia as a core driver of our own recovery. Understanding Asia, knowing the languages, cultures and traditions and teaching our children about our near neighbours is essential for future prosperity.'
Heather Ridout, CEO, AIG, 2009.
'If we don't focus on Asia literacy, both language and cultural awareness, we're going to get left behind.'
Kathe Kirby, Executive Director, Asialink and the Asia Education Foundation.
Becoming Asia Literate
With the importance of learning an Asian language and its culture being recognised nationally and the advocacy of 'Becoming Asia Literate' by Julia Gillard, the Deputy Prime Minister, in May 2009, the students of Chinese at Ruyton have been provided with opportunities to consolidate and enhance their linguistic skills and their understanding and appreciation of the Chinese culture.
A number of teaching and learning strategies have been put into place in classes from Year 7 to Year 12.
A Differentiated Curriculum
Firstly, a differentiated curriculum has been offered.
In Year 7 and 8, students with Chinese backgrounds have been grouped together to complete extension tasks with the assistance of Ms Jane Shi.
From Year 9 to Year 12, students with more experience in learning Chinese are also recognised and different tasks and assessments are set to cater for their needs.
Improvement of Oral Competence
Secondly, improvement of students' oral competence in learning the language has been addressed. As most of the students have no chance to hear or speak the language out of the classroom, there is a need for them to have extra time to practise their conversation skills to enhance their sense of achievement.
In 2009, each student from Year 9 to Year 12 is ensured individual sessions to practise conversation, read texts and orally respond to questions. This exercise has proved very beneficial to them. In the Ruyton Chinese Reading Competition, Elain Chan, Charlotte Armstrong and Rebecca Sepsakos (Year 7), Michelle Hu and Sarah Heywood (Year 8), Renee Pantas and Isabelle Power (Year 9) were awarded High Distinctions for their accuracy in pronunciation and fluency.
Congratulations to Isabelle Power who won Third Prize in the State Grand Final.
Information Technology
Thirdly, the use of ICT and the rich resources of the internet for the learning of languages has been promoted to embrace Generation Z's dynamic spirit in this digital world. It is encouraging to see that students are able to use internet tools to submit and evaluate their work, communicate with each other and research for more information on the topics they study.
Fourthly, students' motivation for learning Chinese has been studied. We were very privileged to have the chance to listen to Mr. Andrew Godwin, a senior lecturer in Law, the University of Melbourne, at an Assembly. Mr. Godwin spoke about his experience in learning Chinese, working as a solicitor in China, and the impact that China has had on his professional career and personal life.
Mr. Yuntong Wang, the Education Consul from the Chinese Consulate in Melbourne, spoke to the students about China and the opportunities offered there to young Australian people.
Cultural Study
Cultural study about China, its history and traditions and its people, is an integral part of the Chinese programme, as we accept that an understanding of culture has more influence on young people when they enter the global village.
Workshops on ribbon dancing, Taiji, Chinese Calligraphy and Painting, and Chinese Musical Instruments, have been run by professional Chinese dancers, painters and musicians. We would like to thank Mr. Honggui He, Dr. Zhengting Wang, Mr. Jun Li and Ms. Sabrina Chou, who have shared their expertise with us.
Accelerated Course in Chinese 2010
It is very exciting that Ruyton will offer an Accelerated Course in Chinese in 2010.
It is anticipated that there will be much more to look forward to in Chinese in the future.