What Works 8: Parents and the learning of Asian languages in schools explores 'what works' for schools to empower parents to support their children’s Asian language learning. It comprises eight school illustrations, viewed through a parental engagement lens, and a review of research literature on the positive effects of parental engagement on student learning. Read more

AEF, in partnership with the Confucius Institute Victoria, is offering Hanban scholarship subsidies for the Confucius Thought for School Leadership China study programme, which will run from 16–27 October 2015.

The scholarships are available to Victorian and Tasmanian school leaders only. Express your interest before 15 May by contacting us. 

Join @asiaeducation and follow #aefchat for a slow Twitter chat from 11–15 May. AEF Director Lisa Hayman will host the chat and lead a discussion on resources to support teachers to include curriculum that builds Asia capabilities.

Each day a range of questions will be posed, stimulus material provided and you will have the opportunity to share with colleagues nationally how you engage students with Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia.

The Australia–India BRIDGE school partnerships project is now open for expressions of interest. 

It will connect eight Australian and eight Indian schools and focus on building teacher capabilities. Find out more

Students from St Mary's College Seymour saw Asia skills in action on a workplace visit to HSBC's Melbourne offices. Through talks by HSBC staff, they were able to gain valuable insights into how learning Asian languages has direct benefits in the workplace. Find out more

Research update

Transitioning beliefs in teachers of Chinese as a foreign language: An Australian case study identifies three types of Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) teachers, who face typical challenges regarding their classroom practice. The article calls for further professional development tailored to the needs of CFL teachers, peer advice and administrative support.

Policy updates

ACARA has added seven language curricula (Arabic, Korean, Modern Greek, Spanish, Vietnamese, German and Japanese) to the Australian Curriculum (F-10) website. The curricula are awaiting final endorsement from the Education Council but are available for states and territories to use in their jurisdictions.

Explore the April edition of AEF Research & Policy updates for more.

Asialink Business, in collaboration with ANZ and PwC, recently published a report on Australia’s services trade with Asia.

Australia's Jobs Future: The rise of Asia and the services opportunity shows that services – including education – can become Australia’s top export to Asia in terms of total value added by 2030. Read more