What Works report no. 7: Study programmes to Asia
This What Works report explores how schools can build demand for studies of Asia and Asian languages. The research addresses the challenge of fluctuating demand for Asia literacy in schools, despite over 20 years of policy and effort.
7 June 2013
About this Report
Study programmes to Asia explores the potential of in-country study programmes to generate personal and professional change among programme participants. It addresses the need to better understand how best to design in-country study programmes for maximum impact. Using participants from AEF Study Programmes to Asia as illustrative cases, the research found that such programmes—when designed with transformational and experiential learning in mind—enabled the following transformations to occur:
- Heightened cultural knowledge, leading to curriculum and pedagogic changes at the school level
- Sustained commitment to engage personally and professionally with Asia
- Sustained engagement with people overseas and a commitment to build transnational learning communities.
Key findings
Particular aspects of AEF Study Programmes to Asia have brought about these transformations, most notably:
- sound combination of formal (information-based) learning and cultural immersion activities
- school visits
- professional networking and reflection.