Victorian Young Leaders to China virtual program

Since 2014, over 2000 students have participated in the VYL to China program. The program is being delivered virtually since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The VYL to China virtual program is an intensive language program open to Years 9 to 10 students studying Chinese. The program is modelled on the highly successful VYL China offshore immersion program to help participants develop their global citizenship, leadership and language skills and intercultural capability.

The virtual program is being offered as a two-week language and culture intensive course by Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) in 2024.The program will be delivered to 100 students this year.

Benefits for students

The program aims to support students through combined language and cultural learning with accelerated personal and social development. It develops their understanding of China's traditional and contemporary culture through their Chinese peers.

The program provides an opportunity to:

  • strengthen intercultural capability and global competence in students to foster better social cohesion
  • improve student engagement, development, and aspiration within the middle years of schooling
  • increase engagement with strategic partners in Asia to create opportunities for engagement, collaboration, and solve common challenges
  • promote students' Chinese digital literacy and intercultural understanding through use of online language tools to communicate with Chinese peers and teachers.

Benefits for teachers

The program will support teachers to:

  • build their knowledge of different types of pedagogical approaches to teaching Chinese as a Second Language in an online environment
  • broaden overall teaching and learning strategies
  • provide students with language acquisition skills and Chinese digital literacy within the program
  • develop increased intercultural capability and understanding of Chinese culture and society.

Benefits for schools

The program will support schools to:

  • accelerate students' leadership and citizenship capabilities, empowering them to act as strong role models for other students
  • further strengthen Chinese language programs
  • provide students and teachers with a virtual immersive experience of global learning and engagement
  • have an opportunity to share knowledge and best practices and learn from Chinese partners and peers.

Program structure

The program is designed to:

  • develop greater awareness of the benefits of learning a language through immersive online lessons, and opportunities to continue the study of Chinese (Mandarin) and China related subjects' areas beyond Year 9
  • consolidate Chinese language skills through exposure to content delivered in both Chinese and English, and opportunities to practice and receive timely feedback on language skill development
  • build intercultural understanding and personal-social capabilities through meaningful activities and engagement with Chinese culture as well as forming connections with Chinese peers
  • build global citizenship and strengthen leadership, voice and agency by participating in tasks exploring Chinese traditional and contemporary culture.

Key dates

The Department of Education (the department) has partnered with Meg Languages to deliver the virtual program in Term 3, 2024. For questions, contact: global.engagement@education.vic.gov.au

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