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(By Jessica McCabe and Jacqui Taylor – Bond University Journalism Students)
According to the Department of Education and Training website, Varsity College is the only school in Queensland where students can take part in an intensive Chinese immersion program.
The Varsity College website said students spent 60 minutes a day learning the language in year 6 and 7 before undertaking 50 to 60 percent of their schooling in Chinese in years 8, 9 and 10.
Varsity College Junior School principal Michael Roberts said he believed the course broadened employment opportunities for motivated students.
“They become proficient students,” he said.
“By the time they are in grade eight they can read, write and speak Chinese at a basic level.”
Mr Roberts said the course was initially challenging for students who learned half their subjects in Chinese but was ultimately beneficial to them.
“By completing senior Chinese in just one year in year 11 they have spare time in year 12 for other subjects ... it opens up many opportunities,” he said.
Mr Roberts said the course had run for five years and the first intake were now completing year 11.
Local resident and international relations student Lauren Muckersie said she thought learning languages were important to give people a competitive advantage in today’s workforce.
“Both my parents live and work overseas and my sister is currently undertaking a Chinese language major,” she said.
Miss Muckersie said she was impressed that students at Varsity Lakes Junior School were able to gain a high level of language proficiency at a young age.
“To have such a global focus stressed in primary education is incredibly valuable,” she said.
“There are so many fantastic international career prospects available and cultural awareness and foreign language skills are absolutely essential.”
Junior School Principal Mr Roberts said he had heard humorous tales of parents not being able to understand their bilingual children after completing the course.
“We’ve had cases where siblings go through the program and can communicate at home in Chinese,” he said.
Mr Roberts said due to increased interest they were looking to extend next year’s program to include two classes of year six students.
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