The Asia Education Foundation (AEF) is a foundation of The Asia Link Centre at the University of Melbourne and Curriculum Corporation and is funded by the Department of Employment, Education and Training and Youth Affairs.

The AEF works with schools, state/territory government and non-government education agencies and institutions, philanthropic foundations and the corporate sector to achieve the following objectives:

• promotion and support of the study of Asia across all curriculum areas in Australian schools;
• development of Asia-related materials for Australian school children;
• promotion of the study of Asia within teacher education; and
• education of the broader community about the importance of school children undertaking studies of Asia.

The Asia Education Foundation has three major programs:

• Curriculum Development Program
• Schools Development Program
• Partnerships and Professional Development Program.

NALSAS Initiatives and Studies of Asia

Asia Ednet

Online is a NALSAS initiative which aims to provide electronic services and professional development in using the internet to support the studies of Asia. The elements of the project include Online Services and professional development including a train-the-trainer workshop, a CD-ROM and a self-paced online tutorial.

• Discussion Group
• Website

For more information visit:
http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/network/

New texts

As part of its strategy to enhance and expand Asian studies through all school systems with an aim of improving Australia's capacity and preparedness to interact internationally, the NALSAS Strategy has funded eleven books in the Access Asia series for primary and secondary classroom

For primary classrooms :

Snapshots of Asia series

This is a set of six big books offering an excellent way to develop literacy and introduce knowledge and appreciation of our Asian neighbours to the classroom. Self contained double-page spreads display appealing photographs, fact files, board games and stories of daily life which capture the distinctive physical and cultural aspects of life in each of the countries featured. The countries in the series are Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia

The series is supported with a web site offering students and teachers additional information and activities.

For secondary classrooms: 

Impressions
Texts from Asia for the Lower Secondary English Classroom

Reflections
Texts from Asia for the Middle Secondary English Classroom

Dimensions
Texts from Asia for the Upper Secondary English Classroom

These three texts present written and visual texts in a wide variety of genres to stimulate greater appreciation of the cultures and peoples of the Asian region.

Poetry, myths, paintings and personal stories combine to create an intricate picture of an extremely diverse part of the world. The activities that accompany each selection address the development of reading, writing, listening, speaking and viewing skills,. Factual, fantastical, tragic, comic these texts introduce thoughts and experiences both unique and universal.

The series is supported with a web site offering additional information, hot linked web sites and activities.

Voices and Values: Citizenship in Asia This text presents the lively voices of young people of the Asian region. Within a full-colour magazine format, photographs and case studies engage secondary students in exploring traditional and new values that support various aspects of citizenship important to diverse societies across Asia. Topics include family and community interaction, students participation in school government, sex roles, environmental matters, population issues and national identity.

A focus on values, rights and responsibilities challenges students to view issues from a range of perspectives. The learning activities within each section provide excellent curriculum support for teachers. The text is supported with a web site offering additional information, hot linked web sites and activities.

Useful Asian Studies Internet Addresses

To find out more about the AEF in Tasmania contact:

To find out more about the Asia Education Foundation visit its site at: http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au//index_flash.htm

For a listing of the Curriculum Corporation Access Asia Resources visit its site at: http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au//public_html/c_res_intro.htm.

At this site teachers can find a catalogue, lesson plans, links and extensive bibliographies.

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