Victorian Young Leaders to China virtual program
Since 2014, over 2000 students have participated in the VYL to China program. The program is now being delivered virtually to promote equity and accessibility.
The VYL to China virtual program is an intensive language program open to 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 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 collaboration and address 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 and China related subjects' areas beyond Year 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 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 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.
Schools selected for the program will receive individual onboarding support.
Key dates
The Department of Education (the department) has partnered with Beijing Language and Culture University and Meg Languages to deliver the two-week virtual language and culture intensive program from 18–29 August 2025.
To register your school's interest, please complete the registration form by 23 May 2025, or email: vylc@meglanguages.com for any questions.
