Chinese language students from five schools across Queensland are starting the year on the right foot, with better resourced Chinese language classrooms.
Queensland University of Technology's (QUT) Confucius Institute (CIQ), a leading organisation in the development of the teaching and learning of Chinese language, last year established five Confucius Classrooms in Queensland high schools.
Initiatives such as this have led CIQ to be named Confucius Institute of the year for the second time.
The manager of QUT's Confucius Institute, Chris Meakin, said CIQ was the only Australian based Confucius Institute and one of a select group internationally, to earn the title in consecutive years.
"We are one of 358 institutes around the world, so to receive this award twice is truly a great achievement," Mr Meakin said.
"We are very honoured and it recognises our significant contribution to the teaching and learning of Chinese language."
The Confucius Classrooms, established at Cleveland District State High School and Centenary State High School in Brisbane, Urangan State High School at Hervey Bay, William Ross State High School in Townsville and Coomera Anglican College on the Gold Coast, already taught Chinese language.
However, they would now be better resourced to create real and virtual links with Chinese schools.
"As well as providing better teaching resources there are opportunities for these classrooms to access funding to help pay for a teacher from China to provide additional support as well as opportunities for students to visit China," he said.
The CI at QUT works in partnership with the Hanban of China, Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, Education Queensland and Independent Schools Queensland as well as the Chinese Language Teachers Association of Queensland.
The institute works to progress the professional development of teachers of Chinese language and the provision of value-added programs to schools throughout the state.
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Media contact: Alita Pashley, QUT media officer, 07 3138 1841 or alita.pashley@qut.edu.au
