executive director’s updateIN THIS ISSUE

NEWS – Unlock Melbourne ‘app’; Refugee week; Orphanage ‘voluntourism’; National International Student statistics

Intercultural Champions PL opportunity

Opportunities for teachers

Opportunities for teachers and students

Professional Reading/Viewing

Resources

top links

Internationalising Education www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/management/Pages/schoolpractice.aspx

Victorian Studies of Asia Wiki https://studiesofasia.wikispaces.com/

Access this newsletter online at http://studiesofasia.wikispaces.com/NEWSLETTER

Queries, comments, contributions to stirling.lindy.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

INTERNATIONALISING AND ASIA LITERACY Issue #71 | April-May 2018

Later this month I will travel to Indonesia with Ms Judith Graley, the Parliamentary Secretary for Education, to meet with education representatives in Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Bali, and discuss opportunities for collaboration with Australia’s closest Asian neighbour. As I have written in this column before, Indonesia is likely to become a top 10 global economy within the next decade and it is incumbent on all of us to become more familiar with all it has to offer: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/australia-indonesia-relationship-need-common-cause-joel-backwell/.

The people-to-people links built through education collaboration offer us the greatest chance for mutual understanding in a way that is sustainable, respectful and meaningful. I look forward to working with schools across the State to build on over 50 sister school relationships, and the more than 65,000 Victorian students learning Bahasa Indonesia, in giving Indonesia its rightful place in the Victorian psyche.

Our engagement with Indonesia is just one part of the successful global engagements taking place all across Victoria’s education system. Last month I was fortunate enough to join a delegation of dedicated Victorian government school principals travelling to Vietnam, our second largest source of international school students, where we met with education agents, parents, students and Vietnamese government officials to discuss the merits of Victoria’s world-class education system.

On 28 April 2018, in collaboration with the Melbourne Zoo, we hosted the inaugural International Student Amazing Race, the second event on our annual global citizenship calendar, the other being the AFL Welcome Match with the Melbourne Football Club. This latest event brought together local and international students, to collaborate, problem solve and demonstrate the intercultural capabilities that will be so important in their future workplaces in a global economy that is more inter-connected than ever before.

STATE BUDGET

This year’s State budget has emphasised the importance of internationalisation through the funding of a range of exciting initiatives. An additional $17.9 million has been committed to allow children attending state-funded kindergartens to learn a language other than English.

The award-winning Victorian Young Leaders to China Program, which has sent over 1,000 secondary students for a 6-week immersion experience in China, has received funding for a further four years, with an expansion pilot also being funded to India.

The VCAA has also been funded to develop teaching and learning resources and an assessment tool to build intercultural capabilities in Victorian students. These announcements come on top of a range of global learning initiatives already being rolled out in 2018 in what is shaping up to be a very exciting year, so watch this space and please get in touch if you’d like to know more.

Joel Backwell

______________________NewsOrphanage Tourism/Voluntourism

In an increasingly interconnected world, it is important that schools are encouraging their students to engage with other countries and cultures to help them become active, global citizens. Each year many Victorian schools facilitate overseas study programs for their students, providing them with an important educational opportunity to build their language and intercultural capabilities, and learn more about the world.

Some of these programs have included visits to orphanages in developing countries, with the intent of providing support to disadvantaged children. One of the unintended consequences of these visits and support activities, recently known as ‘voluntourism’, is that unethical operators in developing countries are known to be setting up orphanages and recruiting children from vulnerable families as a way of attracting funding and donations from unsuspecting and well-intentioned international visitors, including school groups. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has prepared a Smart Volunteering Brochure that schools can use to inform themselves about this important issue when planning an overseas trip. More information is on their webpage.

The Department also provides a number of resources to help schools to deliver student learning outcomes from overseas learning experiences, including the Overseas Learning Experiences for Students; A Resource for Schools and the Sister School Resource Kit.

Refugee Week 2018

Sunday 17 June to Saturday 23 June 2018

#WithRefugees is the theme for Refugee Week 2018 in Australia. A resource kit will be available in coming weeks from https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/refugee-week-resources/resource-kit/

‘unlock melbourne’ international student app

The Victorian Government has recently released a new ‘app’ for international students. It is easy to use, has a wealth of ideas for students ranging from getting from the airport, to ordering coffee like a local to opening bank accounts and the weather! Just download ‘Unlock Melbourne’ to your phone from an app store.

National statistics for international students

The February 2018 International Student Data recently released highlights the record number of international students who are studying in Australia. The Minister for International Education, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham also released a video message affirming the positive contribution that international students make to Australia. The next article shows the government priorities.

The implementation plan of the Council for International Education

This Australian implementation plan shows the strategic focus, priorities and deliverables for 2018. Access it here

______________________Opportunities for teachersIntercultural Champions

The 12-month Intercultural Champions (IC) Pilot Program is a professional learning opportunity for up to 30 classroom teachers from Victorian government primary and secondary schools. It aims to build the capacity of teachers to confidently develop intercultural capability in classrooms. The Intercultural Champions will participate in seven face-to-face workshop days, culminating in a Summit to present the learnings and share experiences. Between workshops, ICs will investigate models of best practice through classroom visits and develop teaching materials and other support materials to deliver intercultural capability.

In addition to the face-to-face workshops, participants will undertake peer mentoring, online learning, and classroom and school-based practice trialing and reflection. Participants will also have access to resource advice and practical curriculum and pedagogical support from Education Changemakers.

The IC Pilot Program runs from term 3, 2018 t term 2, 2019. IED is seeking applications from experienced and/or high potential teachers recognised for their:

· teaching expertise and interest to carry out curriculum change

· willingness and ability to work with colleagues to bring about improved teaching and curriculum outcomes in intercultural capability

· commitment and interest in working with peers, students and their families to strengthen intercultural understanding.

Applications are now open and close 11 June 2018. For more information and application forms see here.Internationalising Survey Available

Globalisation of jobs, trade and economies mean that young Australians will increasingly undertake a range of different careers, work across the globe and have to navigate expanding cultural diversity both at home and abroad.

Victorian student Gul participated in a 6-week overseas culture and language-learning program to China and commented that it provides “a more globalised view of the world. Your world and thoughts are not limited to the walls of the classroom. You start to feel that your opportunities are endless.”

So how can we increase the number of children and young people who have the global competencies needed for their futures?

To do this, we would like to hear your views and experience with learning about different cultures and equipping young people to be global citizens – a component of the Victorian Curriculum and Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO).

How to get involved

An independent market research consultancy, Hall & Partners Open Mind, has been commissioned to conduct this research on behalf of the Department.

A voluntary, 15-minute online survey is now available for you to complete. The survey may be completed by yourself as the principal or delegated to an appropriate school representative.

Instructions

1. For Action: you can start the survey now.

2. To participate, simply click on the secure link below or copy and paste the text into your browser http://survey.websurveycreator.com/s/1163

3. If necessary, please forward this survey link onto an appropriate delegate. Please do not forward this link onto students. The survey can only be completed once within your school.

This survey is voluntary and carried out in compliance with the Privacy Act. Further information is in the Consent Forms. The information and opinions you provide will only be used for research purposes. Your responses will be treated in the strictest confidence. The responses of everyone who takes part in the survey will be combined, and no individual information will be made available. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete.

Survey contact details

If you have any questions or would like further information about the online survey or research project in general, please contact:

· Gary Colquhoun, Hall and Partners Open Mind on +61 3 9662 9200 or via email at gary@hpopenmind.com.au, or

· Matt Flemming, International Education Division on +61 3 9637 3373 or via email at flemming.matthew.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

MLTAV Annual Conference Victoria: the Languages State

8.45-4.45pm 4 May at

Catholic Leadership Centre

576 Victoria Parade

East Melbourne

More information on their website: www.mltav.asn.au

Victorian Education Excellence Award nominations open

The Victorian Education Excellence Awards are now open for nominations. The prestigious Awards highlight outstanding work happening in Victorian government schools that deserves recognition. Have you witnessed outstanding educational practice, or been involved in a project you are really proud of? Is your school globally minded, internationalising education and creating global citizens?

There are ten categories available:

· Outstanding Primary Teacher Award

· Outstanding Primary Principal Award

· Outstanding Secondary Teacher Award

· Outstanding Secondary Principal Award

· Outstanding Koorie Education Award

· Outstanding Inclusive Education Award

· Outstanding School Advancement Award

· Outstanding Education Support Team

· Outstanding Business Manager Award

· The Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education

Get more information here

PD opportunity for schools leaders – building global citizenship

Building Global Citizenship (formerly Leading Asia Capable Schools) aims to strengthen your understanding of effective global engagement and how this translates into the school curriculum, practice and community. This course is designed to support you in equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, values and networks they need to live harmoniously in multicultural communities, thrive in a changing local and global labour market and act as responsible global citizens who can build a sustainable, inclusive and safe world.

The course is provided by Bastow Institute of Education Leadership in partnership with the DET International Education Division (IED) and The University of Melbourne – Asia Education Foundation.

This 6 month blended model of professional learning includes face-to-face workshops, online webinars and culminates a 10-day offshore program in Shanghai to explore globalisation at first hand and learn from high performing education systems and global businesses.  

Program costs: FREE (TBA)

Applications close: Sunday 3 June 2018

Details and expression of interest information are available at this link.

______________________Opportunities for teachers and studentsReelOzInd! Australia Indonesia Short Film Competition 2018Near neighbours should be friends not mysteries!Short films are a great way to share stories and build understanding.

ReelOzInd! was established by the Australia-Indonesia Centre in 2016 to encourage Australians and Indonesians to share their stories.

This year the theme for our competition is YOUTH.

In ReelOzInd! 2018 is seeking documentary, fiction and animation short films of up 10 minutes duration, on this years’ theme within the story narrative, or as a visual element in the film. A new companion competition ‘Ultra Shorts’ are films of up to 30 seconds in duration, to be shared and voted for on our social media platforms.

Awards will be given for Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best Fiction and special awards for Best Youth Film (created by a filmmaker 13-18 years old) and Best Collaboration between Australian and Indonesian filmmakers.

Submissions open 1 April and close 31 July.

Visit the website for more information.

Human Rights Film Festival, 3 – 17 May

Since 2013, the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival has devoted a section to children and young people, CineSeeds: A program of film, speakers and the arts for youth, exploring human rights in an age appropriate way. Now in its sixth year, HRAFF’s CineSeeds program engages young audiences aged 7–18 with human rights issues through film and live performances. Some performances will be held in regional centres.

https://2018.hraff.org.au/program/browse-program/

______________________Professional Reading/ViewingTeaching for Global Understanding

The Centre for Global Understanding aims to develop global competence in students, young leaders, and educators as the foundation for understanding between people in the Asia Pacific region and throughout the world.

Although American based, their website has a wealth of resources and on-line professional learning opportunities.

See more here

Unconscious bias across borders

The Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) was developed to evaluate the skills critical to interacting effectively with people who are from cultures other than our own.

The recorded webinar Unconscious Bias Across Borders most effectively explores diversity and inclusion (1.50-6.15), and unconscious bias (9.00-20.00). Recognising the ubiquitous nature of our biases is an important step in progressing our own intercultural capability.

The urgency of intercultural learning for all

From the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in 2017, the Chair of AFS, Dr Vishakha Desai from Columbia University gives a provocative address on the connectedness of our world and global competency through four steps:

explore the unfamiliar;

reflect on these experience and nurture your sense of self;

develop empathy;

curiosity to learn about others and put this into action.

Listen to her challenge here: ‘As educators, how do we create a path through ICU to prepare students for a sustainable and just world.’

.

Salzburg statement for a multilingual world

On International Mother Language Day 2018 (February 21) The Salzburg Statement for a Multilingual World was launched. It examines the importance and implications of national language policies; the role of language in creating social cohesion; different forms of and strategies for language teaching; the advantages of multilingualism in the work place and in building more entrepreneurial societies; and the importance of linguistic diversity and language rights vis-a-vis the Sustainable Development Goal on Education. For the full statement go to https://education.salzburgglobal.org/statements/a-multilingual-world.html

The new power skills: intercultural understanding, global competence and active global citizenship

This address by Daniel Obst discusses Intercultural understanding, Global competence and global active citizenship as power skills

______________________ResourcesThe Intercultural Development inventory (IDI)

Where do you sit on the continuum of interculturality?

This inventory describes a set of knowledge/attitude/skill sets or orientations toward cultural difference and commonality along a continuum. This ranges from the more monocultural mindsets of Denial and Polarization through the transitional orientation of Minimization to the intercultural or global mindsets of Acceptance and Adaptation.

The capability of deeply shifting cultural perspective and bridging behavior across cultural differences is most fully achieved when one maintains an Adaptation perspective.

Read more here.

Intercultural Learning Toolbox

This European based website aims to provide teachers with new methods and tools to promote intercultural dialogue in order to prepare pupils for living in diverse societies and working in a global labour market, ranging from dealing with diversified groups of learners coming from different cultures to valuing mobility experiences. Competencies or sections can explore the toolbox. The six pedagogical principles of the toolbox are:

· intercultural competence

· competence based

· whole school approach

· overall pedagogical project

· promotion of volunteering and active citizenship

· feedback and evaluation

You can read more about it and add your own contributions at: http://intercultural-learning.eu/toolbox/

LMERC - Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre

If you are looking for resources for anything to do with cultures of the world, EAL, Human Rights, Languages, Asia, indigenous, or intercultural understanding, the Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre is your specialist library. It operates free to users and is located on Level 1 of the CO.AS.IT Building, 189 Faraday St Carlton, 3053 VIC.

LMERC Contact details:

· Telephone: (03) 9349 1418

· Email: lmerc.library@edumail.vic.gov.au

Library homepage and catalogue has an easier to remember address: http://lmerc.softlinkhosting.com.au

Website: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/support/pages/lmerc.aspx

Do yourself a favour and check it out, at least online or by phone. The staff are incredibly helpful.

LMERC will be open 9-5pm on a Saturday once per term in addition to our usual days and times. To enter the building on a Saturday, please press the reception button on the intercom at the front of the building.

Saturday opening dates for 2018

23 June

15 September

17 November