Engaging with Asia

The Engaging with Asia - Making it Real for Kids project, combines a language pathway for students with a curriculum approach to immerse students in language and cultural studies. Language development is a key component supported by the cultural studies of the Integrated Studies approach. Effective technological innovation and application and delivery both within and external to the school will provide students with a platform to further engage in their studies.

Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia

The Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia priority provides the opportunity for students to celebrate the social, cultural, political and economic links that connect Australia with Asia.

This priority will ensure that students learn about and recognise the diversity within and between the countries of the Asia region. They will develop knowledge and understanding of Asian societies, cultures, beliefs and environments, and the connections between the peoples of Asia, Australia, and the rest of the world. Asia literacy provides students with the skills to communicate and engage with the peoples of Asia so they can effectively live, work and learn in the region.

The Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia priority has been developed around three key concepts;

  1. The first key concept highlights the diversity within and between the countries of the Asia region, from their cultures, societies and traditions through to their diverse environments and the effects of these on the lives of people.
  2. The second key concept examines the past and continuing achievements of the peoples of Asia, identifies their contribution to world history and acknowledges the influences that the Asia region has on the world's aesthetic, and creative pursuits.
  3. The third key concept addresses the nature of past and ongoing links between Australia and Asia, and develops the knowledge, understanding and skills, which make it possible to engage actively and effectively with peoples of the Asia region.

ACARA has consulted both with educators who have deep knowledge of the Asia region and organisations like the Asia Education Foundation in developing this specific cross-curriculum priority. It has also involved practising teachers from learning areas and with expertise in Asian Studies to provide advice about how the priority could be incorporated into each learning area.