Bridges to understanding : the Western Sydney-Ningbo partnership

The Australian Government's recently released Australia in the Asian Century White Paper declares that as a nation we need to 'broaden and deepen our understanding of Asian cultures and languages, to become more Asia literate. These capabilities are needed to build stronger connections and partnerships across the region.' (Executive Summary) The Government has also called for all Australian students to have the opportunity 'to undertake a continuous course of study in an Asian language throughout their years of schooling', supported by 'significant exposure to studies of Asia across the curriculum to increase their cultural knowledge and skills and enable them to be active in the region'. In keeping with this emphasis, the Australian Curriculum includes 'Asia and Australia's engagement in Asia' as a cross-curriculum priority. An initiative in Western Sydney is making a direct contribution to these objectives. Since 2008 a partnership between the University of Western Sydney, the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities, and the Ningbo Municipal Education Bureau, China, has been working to strengthen engagement in and learning of Chinese language and culture among students and teachers in Western Sydney's primary and secondary schools. The Western Sydney-Ningbo Partnership places graduates or experienced teachers from Ningbo, in Western Sydney schools where they help Australian teachers to develop and deliver Chinese language and culture programs. Each of the Chinese educators, known as Ningbo Volunteers or Ningbo Ambassadors, spends two days per week in schools over 18 months. Up to 10 Chinese educators are involved each year and since mid-2008 40 Ningbo Volunteers have helped participating schools to implement Chinese language and culture programs.