Lisa Hayman Studies of Asia Adviser hayman.lisa.l@edumail.vic.gov.au Why Asia? Lisa Hayman Studies of Asia Adviser hayman.lisa.l@edumail.vic.gov.au

Understand ‘Asia’ Students will be able to explain what the term ‘Asia’ means, with some reference to geography, history, culture and the economy. They will understand and appreciate something about the diversity of Asia’s peoples, environments, cultures, belief systems and societies. They will understand the importance of the countries of Asia and their economic, strategic and cultural links with other countries in the world, particularly Australia.’ The aim is to develop in our students an understanding of Asia- that means….

Our kids are our future. If that future is to be one of peace and prosperity, they will need the capacity to engage in a dialogue with others of different cultures and creeds. General Peter Cosgrove, AC MC

‘It is our shared vision that by 2020 we will live in an Australia in which our children can speak with respect and knowledge about Islam; an Australia that can communicate with its largest and nearest neighbour — Indonesia; an Australia that can take up the opportunities offered by the intellectual and economic powerhouses of China and India … An Australia in which a unique, vibrant, creative culture has blossomed, a culture that understands its Indigenous connectedness to land and is fed as much by the influences of the great civilizations of Asia as by those of Europe.’ Carrillo Gantner AO AEF National Summit on Studies of Asia, 2004

We are the future Hedley Beare My name is Anjelica. I am five years old. What will my world look like? Think / pair / share activity

Professional Reading

We are the future Do you know what to teach me? Do you know what I need to learn? And do you know how to teach me? Are you confident that you can design a curriculum which will equip me to live in my world?

What are we doing to meet this challenge? In November 2005, all state and territory Ministers of Education, led by the Federal Minister for Education, endorsed the National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools. This landmark statement elevates the importance of the study of Asian cultures and languages in Australian Schools. The Statement articulates a clear rationale for including studies of Asia and Australia across the school curriculum and describes the skills and understandings Asia engaged students have. So what do you think we need our kids to know about Asia?

Interconnectedness between Australia and Asia

Why Asia? ___% of the earth’s land ___% of the world’s population the world’s two most populous nations: ______ and ______ two of the world’s superpowers: _____ and ______ the greatest diversity of belief systems The world’s largest Muslim nation is _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ But why study Asia? Let’s consider Asia - our region. Why is it significant to our students? Because …… 30%land mass /60%world’s population. Two most populous nations China and India. Indonesia largest Muslim nation.

Why Asia ___% of the earth’s land ___% of the world’s population the world’s two most populous nations: ______ and ______ two of the world’s superpowers: _____ and ______ the greatest diversity of belief systems The world’s largest Muslim nation is _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 30% of the earth’s land 60% of the world’s population the world’s two most populous nations: China and India two of the world’s superpowers: Japan and China the greatest diversity of belief systems World’s largest Muslim nation Indonesia But why study Asia? Let’s consider Asia - our region. Why is it significant to our students? Because …… 30%land mass /60%world’s population. Two most populous nations China and India. Indonesia largest Muslim nation.

What are the essential learnings for Victorian students on Asia? Physical, Personal And Social Learning Discipline-based Learning Interdisciplinary Learning

VELS + Studies of Asia

Curriculum development – scope and sequence charts Our current focus for curriculum development is on the production of Asia Scope and Sequences for English, SOSE and the Arts. These work to support curriculum renewal cycles occurring around the country and units of work to support these are being written for teachers. Both can be accessed on line at AEF’s website. A further aspect of our strategic plan is how SOAA can add value to the work being done by language educators to implement intercultural language learning approaches. 19

New Pedagogies (?) Multicultural literacy is knowledge of cultures and languages, as well as the ways in which multi-sensory data (text, sound, and graphics) may introduce slant, perspective, and bias into language, subject matter, and visual content. We live in multicultural societies, teach in multicultural settings, and our students often interact with those who come from a different place in terms of gender, rural or urban environments, nationalistically, linguistically, racially, and religiously.

Why I like Australia Everyone is friendly and safe. US All my most liked actors live there. I have never been there but I have seen it on TV and it looks good. Disneyworld, Hollywood and great food. UK Almost everyone likes soccer. Australian people come from England. France Because they have a nice language and make good food. Japan Because you are learning the language. I learn it and they have lots of celebrations. Reynolds study China Because you can learn how to speak a different language and make origami.

Why I don’t like Afghanistan Its poor. It thrives with terrorists. Its houses don’t look good. US America is not a peaceful place to have a holiday because they always have to get involved in war. China Animal cruelty - locking up cute bears. They cut peoples heads off and play soccer with their heads. Japan They wear different clothes. Nearly all the people are brown. Reynolds Bali Because of the Bali bombings. Because of the tidal wave.

Access Asia series of curriculum resources Australia Kaleidoscope - focused on the Asia that is in Australia. Really Big Beliefs Project for little kids and Global and Regional Issues for the middle years.

A resource on Beliefs-- for upper primary - or adapt for lower secondary. Elicit - why would we choose to teach about beliefs in our schools? Kids voices /1st person/ not a monolithic picture of religions/inquiry learning approach/ connects to the community/ normalises a range of beliefs within our community

Online learning

“It is impossible to conceive of a future Australian Education system that does not take the study of Asia seriously.” Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon. Julia Gillard MP, AEF Forum, May 2008