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Chinese Acceleration

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​​The Chinese Acceleration program allows students to complete an intensive Chinese language study program from the first year of high school in Year 7  through to  Year 9.  It is offered at Indooroopilly State High School as part of our commitment to developing a global perspective through the promotion of language learning.

The program runs for three years and provides students with the opportunity to accelerate their proficiency in Mandarin Chinese.

As part of the program, students develop and enhance their proficiency in listening, writing, speaking and reading. It also provides a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese history, culture and current developments.

The program equips students to excel in Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) Languages, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or Chinese Proficiency Tests (HSK).

Students may have the opportunity to travel to China in partnership with the Confucius Institute at the University of Queensland.

Chinese Acceleration will expand each student’s horizons, culturally and intellectually, which will benefit the study of other subjects.

Preparatory courses: We are proud to provide a unique Preparatory Program for each student successful in obtaining a place in each of our distinct Junior Secondary Programs of Excellence. The focus for these transition programs – one lesson per week after school over six weeks of Term 3 – is to support our prospective Year 7 students to meet other students who will be enrolled the following year, connect and collaborate as a group and, more importantly, begin learning the fundamental skills they will develop as these courses continue throughout their Junior Secondary years.

Enrolment

To be considered for enrolment at Indooroopilly State High School and our Programs of Excellence, please download and complete our Enrolment Pack (PDF, 3.2MB). Submit the completed pack, including all supporting documents, as outlined on the enrolment checklist at the front of the pack.

For more details please download the Chinese Acceleration brochure (PDF, 2.4MB).

For further details contact Mr Jack Treby, Head of Department – Languages & Global Citizenship on jtreb6@eq.edu.au.​

Download: 2025 Programs of Excellence Entry Requirements (PDF, 159KB)


Students say …

“I really enjoy being a part of the Chinese Acceleration Program. I love the lessons and the atmosphere in the dynamic classroom environment. It has helped me expand on my knowledge of Chinese language and culture. I really enjoy speaking Chinese because it just shows me how different the Chinese language is and how fascinating the Chinese culture is.”
Charlie

“My experience so far in the Chinese Acceleration Excellence Program has been amazing! Each lesson we get to learn something new and exciting. I started with knowing no Chinese at all. But just in the first term I have learnt so much. I feel that this program has been great for everyone and that Chinese is really going to help me expand my future career options.”
Mairin

“The thing I have enjoyed the most about the Chinese Acceleration Program is that there are so many interesting learning experiences. My favourite part about the program has to be having Miss Lu as a Chinese teacher. She helps us develop our interest and passion for learning Chinese. Learning Chinese is really easy and fun, especially when we do character analysis together and create special stories for the Chinese characters in class.”
Ashley

“The Chinese Acceleration Program has been great for me, and I absolutely love learning Chinese. I started learning the language in primary school, but I think the acceleration programme really takes our language learning further. We also get to do some of our maths in Chinese, which I really like as well. Learning Chinese is really fun and we all enjoy the activities and Chinese games in class.”
Drew


UQ Confucius Institute volunteer Xiaxiao Li and Indooroopilly State High School Year 11 student Nora perform classical Chinese Erhu music and traditional dance at Open Day.

Why study Chinese?

Discover Chinese Culture: China has a long and rich history encompassing many aspects of literature, art, architecture, music, and philosophy. Its influence has gone beyond China to other parts of the world, such as Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia. An understanding of the Chinese language will open doors to a world of fascinating knowledge and endless possibilities.

Employment Opportunities: Chinese is an important language for students in Australia, as Australia progresses towards a future of increased trade, investment, business, educational exchange, research and development in science and technology, and engagement with China.

Travel and Tourism: Australia is one of the most favoured destinations for Chinese-speaking tourists, and Chinese is also useful when travelling to Chinese-speaking countries around the world.

Personal Development: The study of Chinese contributes to students’ personal development in a range of areas including communication skills, intercultural competence, cognitive development, literacy and general knowledge. It strengthens intellectual, analytical and reflective capabilities, and enhances creative and critical thinking.

Alumni Profile: Lauren Krause

Lauren graduated from Indro in 2016 and has gone on to study a Bachelor of Secondary Education at the University of Queensland. She was part of the Chinese Acceleration Program in Junior Secondary. In Senior Secondary, she took Chinese, Ancient History, Modern History, Geography, Mathematics A and English.

“Indooroopilly SHS’s Chinese Acceleration Program fuelled my passion and love for Chinese, and created a wonderful learning experience. The Chinese teachers were always so enthusiastic and passionate in their teaching, and always offered support, even after school hours. My Chinese class also grew very close, as we spent much time studying together. We would often commiserate over our awful stroke order, or congratulate each other when we feebly stood up to deliver Chinese orals. Undeniably, the highlight of the Acceleration program was the Year 10 China Trip. It was such a new and exciting experience for my classmates and me. My favourite memory was how we would haggle in the markets to reduce prices on the little trinkets and souvenirs we sought to buy. After I finished the Chinese Acceleration Program in Year 10, it was a no-brainer for me to continue studying Chinese in Years 11 and 12. Then after graduating high school, I continued studying Mandarin at UQ. Now in my third year at UQ, I’d definitely say that the Chinese Acceleration Program has played a major role in shaping my future aspirations. I’ve finally decided to study Secondary Education, and it really was because I love Chinese and I want to keep using it. I also hope that as a teacher, I can encourage other young, non-Chinese background Australians to learn Chinese, and to assure them that it is not only possible to master the Chinese language but to enjoy it, too!” 

Read Lauren’s Alumni Profile.

Read about Indro’s 2019 China Study Tour.

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Last reviewed 20 October 2023
Last updated 20 October 2023