Overseas Language Study Grant 2016 (Round 2) Fact Sheet What is the Victorian Young Leaders to China Program? The Victorian Young Leaders to China (VYLC) Program is a world-class, six-week in-country immersion program for Year 9 students, designed to introduce and prepare them to live and work as citizens and future leaders in an inter-connected global community. The program combines language and cultural learning with personal development and leadership skills, and focuses on one of Australia s main trading partners, China. Program Objectives The VYLC Program aims to position Victorian secondary schools as world leaders in learning and development, with a focus on Chinese literacy, intercultural understanding and student leadership. What is the Overseas Language Study Grant? The grant is a financial contribution toward an individual student wishing to undertake their own independent overseas language study program in China for a minimum of six-weeks. The language program undertaken must be offered through a Victorian Registration and Qualification Authority (VRQA) registered Student Exchange Organisation (SEO). What is the VRQA and registered SEOs? The VRQA is a statutory authority with responsibility for the approval and quality assurance of SEOs under section 4.5A of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. Only VRQA approved SEOs can provide secondary student exchange programs for Victorian students. For more information about these organisations please visit: http://www.vrqa.vic.gov.au/registration/pages/studentexchange.aspx#4 Program Elements Students undertaking the Overseas Language Study Grant must participate in all activities provided by their selected SEO including the following program elements: A pre-departure program A six-week immersion experience Post program debrief Program Eligibility To be eligible, the student applicant must: intend to enrol in Year 9 Chinese Second Language in 2016 at a Victorian secondary school be a continuing learner of Chinese demonstrate a satisfactory level of achievement in Chinese language study to date not have participated in the Victorian Young Leaders to China Program during 2015. 1
Program Grant The purpose of the grant is to provide a financial contribution for students wishing to undertake their own independent Chinese language study experience in China for a minimum of 6 weeks in 2016. The language program undertaken must be offered by a VRQA registered SEO. A grant will be made available to individual students to organise an independent overseas language study experience. The contribution provided by the DET is as follows: a) $3,000 per student. Parents/guardians are responsible for all other related costs as a cocontribution b) A further $3,000 for students with a current healthcare card (therefore the grant is $6,000 in total) Under this arrangement, the individual student s parent/guardian will manage all program expenditure, and organisational requirements in conjunction with a VRQA registered SEO. Selection Criteria Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria: Demonstrated commitment to increasing their proficiency in Chinese language and their understanding of Chinese culture Demonstrated commitment to sharing and communicating their learning from the overseas language study program with other students and their school community Demonstrated personal qualities to act as a "representative" of their school and Victoria. Program Key Dates Key Dates Round 2 Applications close 1 December 2015 Applicants notified Mid December 2015 Students must have independently organised and received acceptance from a VRQA registered SEO Students must have emailed DET a copy of their acceptance letter from their VRQA registered SEO Anytime between the period : February May 2016 Anytime between the period : February May 2016 How to complete and submit application Applications are to be completed electronically on ADOBE PDF and submitted via email to vylc@edumail.vic.gov.au. Any supporting documentation needs to be in PDF. Other formats will not be accepted. For further information, visit: www.education.vic.gov.au/youngleaders Please email your enquires to vylc@edumail.vic.gov.au 2
OFFICE USE ONLY Date received: File number: Overseas Language Study Grant 2016 (Round 2) Student Application Form Instructions: The student applicant is to complete this form and have their parent/guardian s consent to submit the Statement of Agreement. Scanned copies of applicants Year 7 and 8 school reports must be submitted with the application. Student Details Family name First name Gender School name School suburb State Postcode Home address Suburb/town State Postcode Home phone Student email address Parent/guardian email address School Chinese language teacher or Principal email address Additional information Anticipated start date of overseas study Anticipated length of overseas study Name of your preferred VRQA registered SEO Are you a current health care cardholder? Yes No 3
Chinese language and culture competency Are you currently studying Chinese Second Language in a Victorian registered school (Government, Catholic or Independent) Yes No How long have you studied Chinese at school? Have you participated in a study tour to China, either through school or by other arrangement? Have you ever visited or lived in China? Yes Yes No No Please respond to the following selection criteria (limit 200 words per question.) 1. How will independently studying abroad in China enhance your Chinese language and cultural awareness? 2. Explain how you will share and communicate your study abroad experience with other students and to your school community? 4
3. Describe your personal qualities which will enable you to act as a "representative" of your school and Victoria? Statement of Agreement To be considered for the VYLC Overseas Language Study Grant 2016 you must agree to the conditions below by ticking in the boxes. I agree to participate in a Chinese language study program in China for a minimum of 6 weeks in 2016. I agree to be responsible for arranging my independent Chinese language study program with a VRQA registered SEO. I will seek my school Principal s attestation that the information provided in this application under the heading Chinese language and culture competency is correct. I am an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia. I am a Year 8 student and currently enrolled in a Chinese second language program offered by a Victorian registered school (Government, Catholic or independent). I understand that by completing this application, I am expressing my interest in the Victorian Young Leaders to China: Overseas Language Study Grant for 2016. Student signature Date: Student name (block letters) Parent/Guardian signature (Parental consent) Parent/Guardian name (block letters) Date: 5
Principal attestation I confirm that is a student at I have read this application form and attest that the school related information provided in this application under the heading Chinese language and culture competency is correct. Principal signature Date Principal name (block letters) 6