Applications for the 2018 ASEAN and Indonesia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program close on Monday 30 October, 2017.

The Australia-Asia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program, established in 2008, is an international program that establishes partnerships between students, teachers and school communities. BRIDGE students collaborate on projects, practice language skills and develop life-long friendships with students at partner schools. 

Building Relationships through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement (BRIDGE)

The BRIDGE programs helps to develop critical global citizens, and research has shown that of the students who have participated in BRIDGE:

• - 67% strengthened their ICT skills
• - 90% strengthened intercultural understanding
• - 92% expanded their knowledge and awareness of the histories, geographies, literature, arts, and cultures of their partner country
• - 68% strengthened their language skills and had real life applications for use and practice.
  

BRIDGE uses a blended model of teacher professional learning, combining face-to-face and online learning with a partner school home stay program. BRIDGE focuses on building teacher capability in the following areas: 

• - strengthening intercultural understanding and values
• - building new technology skills for teaching and learning
• - developing sustainable school partnerships; and 
• - establishing and supporting a community of learners.

 
The professional learning element is focused on identifying ways in which BRIDGE collaboration can be built into current teaching practice, and doesn't require extra-curricular commitment.

In 2018 BRIDGE will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Australia-Asia schools' partnerships program. To mark this occasion, the Asia Education Foundation will be working with the Australian Government to host a series of special events and workshops for 2018 BRIDGE participants. 

You will find information about the program in the flyer and brochure below, and the Asia Education foundation website has the information that you need to apply. Should you wish to discuss the program or require additional information you can contact Emeline Gillingham via email or on (03) 9035 6766 
 
Don't forget - applications for the 2018 Indonesian (fully funded) and ASEAN (partly funded) programs close on Monday 30 October, 2017.

Read the vignettes to find out more about how schools across Australia have benefited from the BRIDGE School Partnership Program. 

The AEF is now taking application for the 2015/2016 Australia-China and Australia-India BRIDGE School Partnerships Project. 

The information for each program can be found at:

• Australia-China BRIDGE Project http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/programmes/school-partnerships/participating-countries/china 
• 
  

Australia-Indonesia BRIDGE Project http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/programmes/school-partnerships/participating-countries/india

Are you a parent with a school-aged child? Are you aged 18-22?

Asia Education Foundation (AEF) invites you to complete one of two short surveys about languages in Australian schools. The surveys are completely anonymous and should take only 5-10 minutes of your time.

The survey findings will help inform recommendations to the Australian Government Department of Education. The surveys have been developed in partnership with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

Survey for parents: http://parentquestionnaire2014.questionpro.com
Survey closes Sunday, 6 July 2014

Survey for people aged 18-22: http://studentquestionnaire2014.questionpro.com 
Survey closes Wednesday, 9 July 2014

If you do not meet the criteria to complete the surveys we would be grateful if you could forward this on to anybody you know who can assist. Please contact me if you have any questions about these surveys.

Dr Eeqbal Hassim
Senior Manager, Research and Curriculum
Asia Education Foundation
e.hassim@asialink.unimelb.edu.au

A limited number of places have become available for educators who would like to take part in an exciting opportunity to travel to Malaysia from 29 June – 11 July.

The Malaysia Unplugged study programme will take you from the political nerve centre of Putrajaya in Kuala Lumpur and on to Sarawak, known for its natural wonders, protected national parks, and home to 28 ethnic groups, each with their own distinct language and culture. Explore a range of learning and teaching resources that have been developed to support teachers to include a Malaysia focus in the Australian Curriculum.

Scholarships of $1,500 per person are available thanks to the Australia Malaysia Institute. 

Registrations are required ASAP. To learn more contact me or see the AEF Web Portal. 

Rene Landsman | Manager  | Study Programs and Exchanges |
Asia Education Foundation
Level 4, Sidney Myer Asia Centre (Cnr Swanston St & Monash Rd)
The University of Melbourne PARKVILLE Victoria Australia 3010
Telephone +613 8344 4800 | Direct +61 3 8344 3576 | Facsimile +613 9347 1768 
http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au

The AEF National Conference  2014 will be held at SMC Conference Centre, Sydney, from 16-17 June with an  option of Day 3 professional learning master classes. Registrations are now open.

The Conference provides the  opportunity for schools, principals, teachers, teacher educators, education jurisdictions and professional bodies to share their practice in progressing  Asia literacy. There are two ways you can do this:

- 15 minute Spotlight on Schools presentation 
- 7 or 2 minute TeachMeet presentation

Please see Call for presentations for further details about presentations, themes and  how to submit a short
proposal. Applications close on Monday 7 April.