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June 2, 2004
Edmonton... Alberta Learning and China's Ministry of Education have finalized an agreement to establish Alberta-accredited schools in China and further education initiatives on language and culture in both learning systems.
"These will be Alberta's first international schools and the benefits are far reaching," said Premier Ralph Klein, who signed the agreement on behalf of Alberta while in Beijing as part of an Alberta trade mission. "International students who have already attained Alberta credentials are more likely to choose one of our post-secondary institutions when seeking international study opportunities."
Students attending the accredited schools would receive an education based on the Alberta curriculum and could qualify for an Alberta provincial high school diploma. The China schools could potentially also serve Canadian students living abroad and provide a model for future schools in other countries. Alberta and China will begin work immediately to develop the program and plan to celebrate school openings in 2005. China will pay the costs of operating the schools, as well as regular inspections and any other services that Alberta provides.
"China's interest in offering the Alberta curriculum to its students is a great compliment," said Minister of Learning Dr. Lyle Oberg. "It is a recognition of our high quality curriculum and the excellence of our province's learning system."
The agreement also provides Alberta Learning with a special advisor on Chinese language and culture to assist in developing a provincial Chinese language curriculum, offer specialized professional development to Alberta's Chinese language teachers, and provide advice on the ministry's international activities with China.
"Having an advisor from China to help develop our language program is a tremendous benefit as we begin implementation of Alberta's second languages initiative," said Oberg. "The potential to exchange language-teaching assistants is an additional opportunity to enhance student learning."
Alberta and China currently have a number of education partnerships and this agreement strengthens those relationships and facilitates new initiatives. The agreement includes supporting expansion of student and teacher exchanges, encouraging collaborative research, and establishing greater cooperation between learning systems in sharing knowledge and best practices.
English International Studies Program
Alberta and China will work together to establish an
Alberta-accredited school in China, offering students the opportunity
to receive an education based on the Alberta curriculum and potentially
qualify for an Alberta provincial high school diploma.
Special advisor on Chinese language
China will provide Alberta with a special advisor on Chinese
language and culture.
The advisor will assist with the development of a provincial Chinese
language curriculum, offer specialized professional development to
Alberta's Chinese language teachers, and advise Alberta Learning on
international activities with China.
Encourage closer ties and knowledge of respective languages and cultures
Alberta and China agree to promote international education by
supporting student and educator exchanges, encouraging relationships
between schools and educational institutions, and promoting the value
of joint research and collaborative projects.
Exchange of language teaching assistants
Alberta will facilitate providing English and French teaching
assistants to aid Chinese schools and institutions in the instruction
of these languages and Canadian culture.
In return, China will facilitate providing Chinese language and culture
teaching assistants to aid Alberta schools and institutions in the
instruction of their language and culture.
Promote Chinese and Canadian studies
Alberta will promote the study of Chinese language in Alberta
universities and China will promote Canadian studies in Chinese
universities.
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