Our Mandarin classes for children have been researched and developed for children who are both native and non-native Chinese speakers. Currently, the majority of children who attend our classes are non-native speakers. Our Mandarin Stars community is diverse and we welcome children from all cultural backgrounds.
In the media: Australia in the Asian Century
Prime Minister The Hon Julia Gillard MP announced the commissioning of a White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century, at a luncheon hosted by Asialink and the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre on 28 September.
‘Asia has never been of greater global significance as global economic and strategic weight shifts from west to east,’ she declared.
The announcement saw wide-ranging responses in print, online and across the airwaves, much of it with a strong focus on education. Reflecting on the address in The Conversation, AEF Executive Director Kathe Kirby examined whether our education system is preparing children for the future.
‘Right now Australia is in an unprecedented position to achieve Asia literacy through school education but we face a critical tipping point.’
She explains: ‘For those five year olds starting school in Australia this year, we have less than one generation left to get this right.’
Access links to the PM’s speech, media coverage and Kathe’s article via: http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/media.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/feb/18/bilingual-alzheimers-brain-power-multitasking
