Prime Minister visits Australia-China BRIDGE school in China

As part of her five-day visit to China, Prime Minister Julia Gillard today met with students and teachers at Beijing Chen Jing Lun High School.

Beijing Chen Jing Lun High School is participating in the Australia-China BRIDGE School Partnerships Project with Mount Lawley Senior High School in Western Australia.

About the school partnership

Participation in the Australia-China BRIDGE School Partnerships Project has provided a unique opportunity for teachers from Mount Lawley Senior High School, Western Australia and Beijing Chen Jing Lun High School, China to facilitate innovative student learning opportunities that build Asia literacy and enhance Chinese language learning.

Both schools were part of the inaugural Australia-China BRIDGE School Partnerships Project. In July 2011, Grace Wang, Beijing Chen Jing Lun High School partnered with Anita Chong from Mount Lawley Senior High School to participate in a five day professional learning program facilitated by the Asia Education Foundation (AEF) along with teachers from 11 other China BRIDGE school partnerships.

At the conclusion of the professional learning program, Grace travelled to Perth to participate in a two-week school visit and homestay program at Mount Lawley Senior High School. This in-country experience enabled her to observe classroom practice, teach Chinese language students and be part of everyday school life which provided a unique insight into Australian schools.

While at Mount Lawley Senior High School, teachers made plans to facilitate a collaborative project on the Three Gorges Dam. This project was implemented on Grace's return to China. Teachers and students used their wikispace partnership site to upload and share content and responses on this project.

In addition to the use of wikis, QQ International has been used to maintain regular contact.

In January 2012, Anne Tumak travelled to China as part of the reciprocal BRIDGE professional learning program. This provided the opportunity to deepen knowledge and understanding of contemporary China and to spend two weeks immersed in daily activities at Beijing Chen Jing Lun High School.

The reciprocal program to China was a fantastic opportunity which enabled us to consolidate our BRIDGE school partnership.

Anne Tumak

I have continued to improve my English language skills and we now have a deeper understanding of each others culture and education systems as a result of participation in BRIDGE.

Grace Wang

Mount Lawley Senior High School led a student study program to China in October 2012.

In the past 12 months the two schools have continued to connect and engage with each other through video conferencing to support Chinese and English language classes.

The use of technology has meant that cultural exchanges have evolved from mere internet connection to interaction via video rich applications, social networking, collaboration and sharing of knowledge and online tools such a translation sites. "Technology is enabling us to move from basic cultural awareness to deep intercultural understanding: Australia-Asia Education Partnership".

Sourced from AEF website http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/teachers/bridge_school_partnerships/bridge_in_action/mt_lawley_story_bridge.html