Asia Literacy – imperatives for the Australian Classroom

1. Asia Literacy – imperatives for the Australian Classroom Lindy Stirling, Advisor, Studies of Asia, Multicultural Education Unit

2. The moral imperative….

3. I am future’s child… I am future’s child. I am 16 years old. I will be alive and well in 2070. My children will see the 22nd century. Can you even imagine what the world will be like for them? Wherever I live and work I will certainly be mixing in a multi national, multi cultural and multi faith setting; white people may be the ethnic minority. Are you confident you can design a curriculum that will equip me to live in my world? I am sixteen years old and I am sitting in one of your classrooms today.

4. Using any scenario of the future, Asia, broadly defined, is now the region of the world whose current re-emergence is one of history’s greatest catalysts for world-wide change. • By 2025, Asia will have caught up with the United States and Europe in the area of research - Asia will be the main destination for the location of business R&D. • The world in 2025 –European Commission report 2009.

5. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd wants: “Australia to become the most Asia-literate country in the Western world.” Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said “It is impossible to conceive of a future Australian education system that does not take the study of Asia seriously.” Speech to Asia Society 11th Annual Dinner, 6 April 2008, New York The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Speech, AEF National Forum, Adelaide 19 May 2008

6. “India, China and other Asian nations are growing and their influence is increasing. Australians need to become ‘Asia literate’, engaging and building strong relationships with Asia.” Goal 2: All young Australians become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens “active and informed citizens…are able to relate and communicate across cultures, especially in relation to cultures and countries of the Asia-Pacific.”

9. Global and regionally-engaged Asia-literate young Australians

10. Understand ‘Asia’ Developed informed attitudes and values Know about contemporary and traditional Asia Connect Asia to Australia Communicate Develop intercultural skills and understandings to engage in diverse cultures at home and abroad Communicate in one or more Asian languages What is an Asia-literate student?

11. What is an Asia-literate school?

12. Features of an Asia-literate school 4

13. Leading 21st Century Schools Victoria:Engage with Asia – a project for Principals

14. NALSSP – National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools • Funding • Strategic Collaboration and Partnership Fund available to organisations, including universities, higher education providers, businesses and Asian communities • Becoming Asia Literate: Grants to schools – A direct outreach program of grants to schools run by the Asia Education Foundation. • Australian Government National Projects • for state and territory government and non-government education authorities

15. Studies of Asia projects within NALSSP • ICT Professional Learning Programs • April 19-20 Melbourne; • 21-22 Gippsland • Study Tours for Principals and Teachers • China: Easter (prins) September (teachers) July (economic focus) January (all) • Teacher Qualifications upgrade • Graduate Certificate and Masters of Education (Studies of Asia) • Building Sustainable Asia-literate schools • L21CSV Principals project

16. https://studiesofasia.wikispaces.com/

17. FUNDED PD

18. Leading 21st Century Schools – a national program www.asiaeducation.edu.au

19. Contact: Lindy Stirling 9637 3620 9637 2040 stirling.lindy.j@edumail.vic.gov.au Vic State Advisor

20. Resources