Australia plans to attract Chinese high school students

The Australian government is planning to attract Chinese junior-high graduates to its high schools, as Chinese students are starting their overseas studies younger than before.

A poll by the China Education Xiaokang Index in August showed that 21 percent of Chinese people believe that the best time for someone to study abroad is during their high school years, while about 40 percent said it is during their undergraduate years.

Previously, Chinese people believed that overseas studies should be reserved for postgraduates.

"It's easier for students to enter Australian universities, if they attend high schools there," said Eliza Chui, education consul at the Australian consulate-general in Shanghai.

"Their English skills will be better, and they will integrate in the local culture more easily and earlier," Chui said.

Gao Zhicun, a professor at the Beijing University of Chemical Technology, who got a doctoral degree in Australia, agreed.

"Early ages are the best time to learn the language. The learning environment is important. I started late, but I believe that if parents can afford it, it's wise to start early," Gao said.

During an international education exhibition in 2012, Chui noticed that more parents and students asked advice about high schools in Australia.

In the past 10 years, Australia focused on promoting its higher-education institutions in China.

"Anyone now can name a few big Australian universities," Chui said, adding that the country's high schools are not as well known in China.

Australian universities were once the top choice for postgraduates. But that trend is not so evident now, so the country is focusing increasingly on high school students.

Many Australian high schools, including 11 private schools and public schools from five states, will join an international education exhibition in 2013 in Beijing and Shenyang.

According to the Ministry of Education, 330,970 Chinese people studied abroad in 2011, up 19.32 percent from the previous year.

A survey on high school students abroad from September 2010 to April 2011, conducted by the MyCOS Institute, a consulting company, the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, and Sina education channel, showed that 50 percent of students who are interested in studying abroad since high school want to go to the United States, followed by Canada and Australia.

luowangshu@chinadaily.com.cn