Victorian Young Leaders to China program
Since 2014, over 2600 students have participated in the VYL to China program. The program is now being delivered in a blended format to promote equity and accessibility.
The VYL to China program is an intensive language program open to Victorian students in Years 9 and 10 studying Chinese. The program supports participants to develop their global citizenship, intercultural capability, leadership and language skills.
The program uses technology to provide opportunities for students to enhance and apply their Chinese language and culture skills with Chinese peers and teachers. The program also fosters connections through interactive cultural exchanges, and an optional immersion to the Museum of Chinese Australian History and Chinatown which includes an Amazing Race style student experience.
Benefits of the program
The program supports students, teachers, and schools by:
- strengthening students’ intercultural capability, global competence, and understanding of Chinese culture through collaboration with Chinese peers and teachers
- promoting student engagement, aspiration, and personal and social development during the middle years of schooling
- enhancing students’ Chinese language acquisition, digital literacy, and use of online tools to communicate in authentic contexts
- helping teachers broaden their pedagogical approaches, particularly for teaching Chinese as a Second Language in online environments
- building teachers’ capacity to embed intercultural learning and to support students’ digital and cultural literacy
- accelerating student leadership and citizenship capabilities and empowering them as role models within their school community
- strengthening school Chinese language programs and providing a virtual immersive experience of global learning and engagement
- creating opportunities for schools and teachers to share best practices and build sustainable international connections.
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 and China related subjects' areas beyond Years 9 and 10
- consolidate Chinese language skills through exposure to content delivered in both Chinese and English, and opportunities to practice and receive timely feedback on language development
- build intercultural understanding and personal-social capabilities through meaningful activities, engagement with Chinese, and connections with Chinese peers
- develop global citizenship and strengthen leadership by participating in tasks exploring Chinese traditional and contemporary culture.
As part of the two-week program, schools are required to provide a supervising teacher to support participating students during all sessions. Ideally, schools should also provide a quiet space, such as a separate classroom, where students can join the virtual activities without distractions.
Most sessions will be held online at school, with one optional, half-day in-person excursion to Melbourne’s Chinatown and the Museum of Chinese Australian History.
Schools selected for the program will receive individual onboarding support.
Key dates
The Department of Education (the department) partners with Beijing Language and Culture University to deliver the two-week virtual language and culture intensive program.
If your school is interested in participating in the 2027 VYL China program, email us at: global.learning@education.vic.gov.au
2026 program highlights
In term 3, 2026, 111 students from 13 Victorian government schools participated in the VYL China program, engaging in intensive language learning with Beijing Language and Culture University educators, virtual tours of China, 3D Culture Quest activities, real language exchanges with students in Shanghai, immersive cultural workshops, and an experiential adventure to Melbourne’s Chinatown and the Museum of Chinese Australian History.
