Welcoming Hong-Kong Student-Teachers to Brisbane
Reflecting on our Innovative Blended Learning Program
24 June 2024 I The Queensland Institute
HKU-QI student-teachers explore Southbank.
This month, The Queensland Institute (QI) is delighted to welcome pre-service English language teachers from The University of Hong Kong to Brisbane, Australia, as part of our innovative Blended Immersion Program.
Over the next four weeks, these future educators will immerse themselves in the Australian school system, explore cutting-edge teaching methodologies, and experience the rich language and culture of Queensland with our QI trainers.
Continuing the Journey from Online to In-Person Delivery
Following a successful two weeks online, we are thrilled to continue the learning journey in person in Brisbane, thanks to our partners at The School of Languages and Cultures (SLC) at The University of Queensland's St Lucia campus.
"As advocates of global education and cultural exchange, SLC takes immense pride in collaborating with The Queensland Institute – a leading provider of teacher development short courses in Brisbane," said Associate Professor Noriko Iwashita. "Together, we are committed to empowering students embarking on their journey in TESOL, equipping them to thrive in an interconnected world."
Celebrating a 15-Year Collaboration
The QI team’s collaboration with The University of Hong Kong spans 15 years. Since 2020, we’re proud to have facilitated online and blended programs together each year, enriching the professional development of more than 200 aspiring English language teachers.
Students studying via Zoom in May.
Highlights from the School Immersion Experience
A highlight of 2024’s program so far has been the School Immersion Experience at Moreton Bay College and Moreton Bay Boys College. Our student-teachers shared their excitement and positive experiences:
"All the students were absolutely adorable, and they were so eager to learn. I really hope that I can inspire my future learners to be as motivated and curious."
"I particularly enjoyed the talks with the teachers. They talked a lot about Australia's education system, and we were really impressed. Thank you for the experiences!"
"I got to interact a lot with the students, and I was happy seeing them raise their hands and respond to our questions. I learnt a lot too!"
Homestay: A Warm Welcome to Brisbane
We also extend our thanks to the Australian Homestay Network for ensuring our students feel at home in Brisbane. Students loved meeting their homestay families, sharing:
"I love how caring and welcoming my homestay family is. I feel like [my homestay mum’s] daughter. She shows me around and loves chatting with me. Brisbane is a really pretty place; the sky is beautiful every day and people are warm and friendly."
"The Brisbane experience is definitely going great, and I know I have a lot more to learn from my [homestay] family and QI trainers!"
Immersing in Brisbane’s Culture
Students are also enjoying getting involved in life in Brisbane, joining UQ Voices choir rehearsals, visiting the QA/GOMA Arts precinct, local farmer's markets, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and Australia Zoo, to name a few. Thanks to our partners at Brisbane 360 - Bus and Coach Charter for helping us get to where we need to go on time and in style.
Join us in celebrating this exciting phase of the program as we embrace #Innovation, foster #Friendship, and support the growth of these wonderful #FutureTeachers.
What’s coming up?
Next month, we welcome our Arts Education colleagues from schools across Taiwan to Brisbane, in partnership with National Taiwan Normal University. We look forward to exploring Australian education and bilingual teaching practices with you!
Connect with Us
For more insights into our program and its impact, connect with QI Co-Founders, Philippa and Fiona via email here. We’d love to hear from you.
