“It was wonderful to be able to use my Chinese everyday in authentic situations and to engage with Chinese people in a range of situations. I also found it great to be able to experience and learn about Chinese culture first-hand and I now feel that I have a better understanding of both China’s language and culture”
“The Fellowship proved to be a fantastic program. It is particularly valuable to me as an overseas Chinese without much exposure to authentic Chinese culture. The field trips have been extremely rewarding to me as it provided me with the opportunity of sampling different sub-cultures and communicating with people to whom I would never have had opportunities to talk…”
“Being with host family was excellent – conversations with the parents and their children allowed me to markedly improve my language proficiency as well as intercultural awareness….”
“I have ‘rediscovered’ my passion and enthusiasm for French language. I am excited about the year ahead and the opportunities that will arise from ideas and connections created by the program.”
“My first real opportunity to be exposed to German-speaking people for a length
of time, giving me the chance to immerse myself in the language and to experience
the culture and history that I teach my students.”
“The experience (for any teacher) is invaluable. What I learnt over these past 3 weeks was great. It is a great motivational tool that provides professional learning that is ‘hard’ to find in Australia.”
“As a beginning teacher, this experience was invaluable for the networking opportunities. I will now be able to teach an even higher standard of Indonesian when I begin (teaching). I will also be able to integrate my improved knowledge of Indonesian culture in classroom curriculum.”
“It has been an extremely enriching experience. I will be far more confident in approaching my teaching and now feel I have the ability to teach to higher levels with confidence.”
“An authentic experience, both linguistically and culturally, that I hope to be able to
incorporate into my lessons in the future.”
“Both intercultural awareness and my language proficiency were improved in particular by the host family visit. By staying with a family gave a real insight into the way the Japanese people live, eat, etc..…Also the opportunity to meet and talk with the general townspeople gave an incredible insight into the Japanese culture.”
“I feel the learning experiences outside the class were perhaps the most beneficial. On a couple of occasions we had lengthy conversations with shop owners (Kannawa) and restaurants (Beppu) I was surprised how much I was able to say in Japanese.”
“This program really improved my language proficiency as well as my cultural knowledge and renewed my passion for teaching Arabic. I have learned many things that I will share with other teachers and students.”
“I feel this trip has given me the background knowledge I so much needed. I have found the roots of many customs, sayings, speech differences. Professionally I feel more prepared to teach the language and culture."