Asia in Schools
The Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) policy on Studies of Asia (NT Schools Policy Statement 1997) states that all students in the Northern Territory should have the opportunity to undertake studies of Asia.
Studies of Asia [SoA] is embedded in the NT Curriculum Framework as a cross-curricula perspective. Throughout the NTCF, Studies of Asia is represented by the fan icon and can be integrated across Learning Areas as indicated. The NTCF provides opportunities for a strong focus on Asia at all levels of the curriculum, including:
- EsseNTial Learnings - collaborative learner and constructive learner exit outcomes which focus on developing values and dispositions that support intercultural understandings
- specific content in Studies of Society and Environment
- languages other than English
- opportunities for including studies of Asia and Australia in learning areas such as The Arts and English.
In November 2005, the Ministers for Education across all states and territories endorsed the new National Statement For Engaging Young Australians With Asia In Australian Schools. They announced their commitment "... to the vision that the people of Australia have the knowledge, skills, values and understanding they need to fulfil themselves, to live in and contribute effectively to a global society and work in a global community."
Asia in Schools Week
Asia in Schools Week occurs annually in the Northern Territory. This year it is being held in Week 2, Term 2 and will give schools an opportunity to reflect on the way they connect with Asia and embed Studies of Asia throughout their curriculum. This year the theme for Asia in Schools Week is Experience Asia. Asia in Schools will be giving teachers and students the opportunity to connect with Asia through workshops and study tours.
How are Territory schools engaging with Asia?
Many schools across the territory engage with Asia on a regular basis and below are a few examples of what our schools are doing and achieving.
Each year the Northern Territory Open Education Centre (NTOEC) takes a group of Year 12 students to Cambodia at the end of the year. The trip is part of an Integrated Learning Subject and whilst in Cambodia the students participate in a number of humanitarian activities including building houses, assembling and distributing health packs for teachers and students at a HIV school, a language exchange at the University of Phnom Penh and a visit to an orphanage. The following is student Mitchell Bateman speaking of how this experience and insight into Cambodian had meaning for him.
Updates
2009: December (pdf 103 kb) | June (pdf 18 kb)
2008: December (pdf 25 kb) | March (pdf 18 kb)
Why get to know Asia?
A generation or two ago, many Australians identified as being European. The United Kingdom was referred to by many as 'the Old Country' or 'home', even when they had not set foot on British soil. There was a comfortable familiarity with all things British, Western European and American. Within the last 50 years, there has been a necessary shift in the mentality of many Australians. Asia is now recognised as an important neighbour, the important role Asia plays on the global stage is being acknowledged.
- China and India are set to be the world's top economies by 2040 when five year olds starting school in Australia today will be at the peak of their working lives
- Pressing global issues now confronting Australians including climate change, food supply, pandemics and security, require citizens with the skills to work closely with our geographic neighbours to help resolve these issues
- The proportion of Australians from Asian backgrounds is 10 percent and rising. The 2006 census indicated that 800,000 Australians speak an Asian language at home; Buddhism is Australia's fastest growing religion; India provides our third largest source of migrants and over 20% of our university students are Asian.
To engage with Asia is a vital part of living in Australia and in particular the Northern Territory, due to our close proximity.
Supporting schools in the inclusion of the Studies of Asia
The Asia in Schools Project supports schools by promoting opportunities to engage young Australians with Asia through access to:
- Asian languages and cultural resources
- grant applications (including NALSSP)
- in-country study tours
- staff professional development days and workshops
- program development
- curriculum auditing
- resource development and collection
- establishment of community links.
Projects and opportunities
Projects for 2010 include:
Leading 21st Century Schools: Engage with Asia Project
The Leading 21st Century Schools: Engage with Asia (L21CS) Project was developed by the Asia Education Foundation (AEF) in collaboration with peak principals associations including Principals Australia, Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA), Australian Secondary Principals Association (ASPA), Catholic Secondary Principals Australia (CaSPA) and Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA). This Program is funded by the Australian Government's Quality Outcomes Program. It is guided by the National Statement for Engaging Young Australians in Australian Schools (MCEETYA 2005), and supports the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP) and National Curriculum. The 2008-09 L21CS project supported over 180 primary and secondary government, independent and Catholic principals to develop Asia literate curriculum that develops students' Asia literacy skills. In partnership with the AEF, Principals Australia (PA) is conducting Round 2 of the L21CS Program in the Northern Territory.
Participating NT schools in round 2 include:
- Darwin Middle School
- The Essington School
- Palmerston High School
- St Paul's Primary School
- Wulagi Primary School
Alumni Schools are as follows:
- Centralian Secondary College
- The Essington School
- Girraween Primary School
- Living Waters Lutheran School Alice Springs
- Milner Primary School
- Nightcliff Primary School
- St Mary's Primary School
- Wagaman Primary School
Working in collaboration with NT Writer's Centre
Opportunities for schools to participate in the NT Writer's Festival Wordstorm 2010 will be available shortly.
NALSSP Subsidy for Further Study for Graduate Diploma of Languages (Indonesian or Mandarin) at Charles Darwin University
Applications are open for DET NT registered teachers to apply for a subsidy to cover tuition fees for the 3 year Graduate Diploma of Languages in Indonesian or Mandarin. The course is designed for graduates who wish to complement their qualifications with specialist Indonesian or Mandarin language and cultural awareness training to improve their capacity to communicate and engage effectively with the people and country of the target language. Applications close on 11 June 2010. More about the subsidy
NALSSP Becoming Asia Literate: Grants to Schools
These grants aim to help schools promote the teaching and learning of Asian languages and/or the embedding of studies of Asia in school curriculum and communities. Applications open on 4 May and close on 28 May 2010. Assistance in writing the applications is available locally through Linda White or nationally from the NALSSP website.