Korean Cultural Exchange
Beaumaris has established an ongoing association with Korea, hosting Study Tours for primary and lower Middle School students from schools around Korea, as well as visiting delegations from principals, teachers, businessmen and education sector administrators. The program has been extremely successful, adding to school spirit and providing opportunities for long term networking and relationships between students and families. The tours generate a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm within the whole school community. Please download the Korean Study Tour Sample Program for information about organisation and projects students undertake.
The aim of the Tours is to provide integration and immersion in both the English Language and Australian Culture. The Tour forms part of the Korean extra curricular activities and is replicated in many English speaking countries. In addition the Beaumaris school community learns to share aspects of Korean culture.
Students generally spend three weeks in the school community, hosted by families and classrooms, as well as undertaking intensive English lessons. Some come with quite a fluent level of English, while others have very little, necessitating differential programming in addressing needs. The school provides a Language Teacher, as well as uniforms, equipment, lunches, excursion opportunities and special treats.
All Study Tour students are given a structured IT project which ultimately translates into an electronic portfolio of their time at Beaumaris, including information about themselves, Korea, their home stay families, excursions and the like. Students become thoroughly engaged and respond well to the challenge, as well as having a great memento to take back home at the conclusion of the Tour.
Students enjoy the less formal classroom atmosphere and ‘hands on - connected’ approach to learning fostered by the school’s focus on Lifelong Learning and Middle Schooling cultures. Our own students and families are quite astounded at the level of expectations placed upon Korean students, where some attend Academy after school for up to four hours, then some go to further Academy studies again. Middle Years students cite they often do not get to bed until almost midnight. These and many other differences add to appreciation of both cultures as well as our own schooling system.
While at Beaumaris in February, students go on many outings, including the Swan River, Fremantle, Whiteman’s Park, Scitech, Kings Park, Perth and Margaret River. In addition, home stay families take them many other places of interest and activities. The majority of the school day is spent in classrooms with peers, participating in normal lessons and activities. Friendships are rapidly formed amongst students and with billet families. So much so, that there is always a flow of tears when finally students have to board the bus to leave for the airport.
We host two Korean Study Tours per year: at the beginning of Semester One; and at the beginning of Semester Two. We are now inviting families to be actively part of the program and billet our visitors for the three weeks they will be with us.
We aim to use revenue from the tours to supplement acquisition of SmartBoard technology across the school, over the next two years. The program is a huge challenge, resource and cost wise, but is essential as it will significantly modernise teaching – learning relationships and promote far greater engagement in learning and improved outcomes. However, to deliver the program we do require your support. Please download and complete the attached ‘Korean Study Tour Home Stay Nomination Form’ and return it to the office to assist with our planning and vision.
Please feel free contact the office for further information or clarification.
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