commerce with asia: a year 10 6 month elective · vcta professional learning topics in commerce...

VCTA Professional Learning

BEA National Conference 2016

Commerce with Asia: A year 10

6 month elective

(including overview of Commerce Study

Tour of China)

presented by

Melissa Wolsley-Findlay

The Peninsula School, Victoria

September 2016


• Current economic situation

• Australia/ China relations

• Students and parent demand

• Educational research – Asia literacy critical

• My personal interest/ my Master of Education

specialisation

Why a Commerce with Asia subject?


Topics in COMMERCE WITH ASIA

• Topic 1: Understand globalisation and how the breakdown of national

barriers has allowed for increased business and personal opportunities.

• Topic 2: Explore the Asian region and similarities/ differences in culture.

Focus on key tourist sites, symbols, food and language. Research two of

the world’s largest economies, China and India.

• Topic 3: Understand the skills needed to work and live in Asia, to

successfully trade and or/ do business with a range of Asian countries.

• Topic 4: Analyse the relationship between Australia and Asia in relation to

politics, trade and the rise of TNCs in Asian society.

• Topic 5: Develop ideas and perspectives on what the future of business and

economics will look like due to the current ‘Asian Century’.


Lesson Outlines TOPIC 1

Lesson Topic 1: Understand globalisation and how the breakdown of national barriers has allowed for increased business and personal opportunities.

1 What is globalisation?

2 Asia ‘on the map’?

3 How globalisation has impacted the Asian region.

4 Cont above

5 Personal opportunities In Asia

6 Business opportunities in Asia


Examples of resources TOPIC 1

• Globalisation link.

• ‘The world in my home’ activity.

• Blank map of Asia – students fill in what they already know. Compare and

discuss or interactive map at http://online.seterra.net/en/vgp/3032 Full map

from AEF *

• Herald Sun poster series Module 1 – What is Asia? And Module 2 Asian

Influence in Australia. *

• Allocate students a country – research changes over time. 1960s, 70s, 80s,

etc. Discuss if these changes good/ bad for government, citizens, business

tourism.

http://online.seterra.net/en/vgp/3032


Examples of resources TOPIC 1 cont

• Look at recent articles in the news that shows business and

economic opportunities with Asian countries.

• Skim through AsiaLink report on ‘Challenges for Australian

businesses’ and note the key findings. Also, ‘Engaging Asia: Getting

it right for Australian business’ report. *

• The New Columbo Plan scholarships – chance for students to study

in Asia from ages 18-28.



Lesson Topic 2: Explore the Asian region and similarities/ differences in culture. Focus on key tourist sites, symbols, food and language. Research two of the world’s largest economies, China and India.

1 Asian culture – key tourist sites relevant to culture, economic and business growth

2 Cont

3 Cont

4 Asian culture – values, history, government, symbols

5 Asian culture – business culture and etiquette

6 Cont

7 Guest speaker

8 Asian culture – language and food

9 Focus on China and India

10 Cont



• Quiz on well know tourist sites in Asia. Show visuals on powerpoint.

• Use Herald Sun country snapshots to compare. *

• Online links - Article on students needing to have Asian skills for their

futures., Business Overviews of China, India, etc.

• Links of the importance of language *

– http://www.smh.com.au/national/australias-potential-in-china-lost-in-

translation-20160314-gni7zt.html

– http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-editorial/time-to-mind-our-

languages-20160809-gqohdj.html

• Country business profiles at https://asialinkbusiness.com.au/country *

– Focus on a set number of countries to look at etiquette, etc.

– Allocate countries to students

http://www.smh.com.au/national/australias-potential-in-china-lost-in-translation-20160314-gni7zt.html

http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-editorial/time-to-mind-our-languages-20160809-gqohdj.html

https://asialinkbusiness.com.au/country



Lesson Topic 3: Understand the skills needed to work and live in Asia, to successfully trade and or/ do business with a range of Asian countries.

1 Skills and capabilities needed to work with the Asian region

2 Cont – focus on Singapore and China

3 Cont – focus on Hong Kong and Japan.

4 What does an Asia-ready business look like?

5 Business visit OR Go Global Ambassador.

6 Top 10 counties in Asia to do business in

7 Asian-owned businesses around the world. Success factors.

8 Successful Australians/ Australian businesses in Asia

9 Cont

10 Research project – what can you sell?



• Article on students needing to have Asian skills for their futures.

• Pages 12-22 (10-20 on the actual doc) of ‘Developing an Asia Capable

Workforce’ that documents Asia Capabilities. *

• AEF resources on business examples and lesson ideas.

• Businesses around the world/ adapting. Eg McDonalds websites differ in each

country. Why?



• Business in Asia case studies:

– https://asialinkbusiness.com.au/case-studies *

– http://www.nab.com.au/business-asia/expert-guidance/success-stories

• AEF. Australians in Asia profiles. Students to write profiles on 3 Australians.

• Students research and pitch ideas for different countries. Top 10 countries to do business

in in Asia – why?

• Business visit through AEF OR Go Global Ambassador come to school.

https://asialinkbusiness.com.au/case-studies

http://www.nab.com.au/business-asia/expert-guidance/success-stories



Lesson Topic 4: Analyse the relationship between Australia and Asia in relation to politics, trade and the rise of TNCs in Asian society.

1 What is a TNC/ MNC – the rise of TNCs in Asian countries.

2 What is trade? Trading with Asia – a historical focus.

3 Export markets in Asia. Resource allocation – what does Australia export and import?

4 Cont

5 Increased demand for business from and with Asia – why?

6 The rise in demand for services from Australia

7 Free trade agreements. Why do they exist?

8 Political systems in Asian countries and how do they impact business and economics.



• TNCs powerpoint. *

• Online link on Australia and role in APEC.

• ‘Trade’ powerpoint.

• Exporting to Asia (aimed at year 8) online on AEF website.

• Go to http://www.austrade.gov.au/,Under ‘for Australians’ click on ‘export markets’.

Select a country. *

• ‘Trade at a Glance’ book by DFAT.

• Map of Asia (use map from topic 1). Highlight countries we have free trade

agreements with.

• ‘Asia Political Systems’ notes.

http://www.austrade.gov.au/



• Asia 200: interactive map which looks at the top 10 companies since 1997

in each country in Asia. See link below.

• Map of top exports to and by Asia *

• Students to draw a table and list countries identified by the teacher. Click on

each country (China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia) and then click on

‘about China, etc. Draw a table with the countries listed and the

subheadings from the website such as legal system, economy, labour

market, politics)

• A success story of exporting to Asia:

– Koko Black. Excursion to their city store if possible.

– the AFL

– Mornington Peninsula Brewery. *



Lesson Topic 5: Develop ideas and perspectives on what the future of business and economics will look like due to the current ‘Asian Century’.

1 What is the ‘Asian Century’

2 How will jobs be impacted by the Asian Century?

3 Job opportunities, business expansion and challenges for Australian businesses.

4 Excursion to local business new to exporting.

5 Impact of the Asian Century on the economy in relation to goods and services.

6 The future of work in Asia.

7 Opportunities for students in the future. Government grants, scholarships,

etc.

8 Being a global citizen and making the most of an overseas travel experience.

9 Culture shock and reverse culture shock.



• ‘MBA White Paper: Understanding the significance of the Asian Century’ report. *

• Online link on the impact of work in Australia due to Asian skills.

• Governments DFAT ‘China Country Strategy’ – heading towards 2025.

• ‘China 360: the emergence of Chinese MNCs’ report.

• Students research how businesses would need to change to sell their products to

different countries. Eg Aged Care to India.

• Fact sheet on the future work in Asia.



• Online link. ‘Overseas learning experiences in Asia’ resource

• Students to write ’10 tips’ for others to understand the countries they

have already visited.

• Read some of the short stories from the book ‘101 Stories for foreigners

to understand Chinese people’. *

• Oxfam resource on how Aus banks use their money overseas.

• Online link on benefits of in country experience, and the pos/ neg for

students and teachers. What to do before and after. (done by the

department of Education Victoria and another one by AEF). *


One more resource………

• Lastly………. The ‘Country Starter Pack’ app is fantastic.

• Aimed at businesses not students so be selective.

• Not on app store but shareable app – put mobile number

on their website, app link texted to you.


Commerce Study Tour of China.

• For year 10-12 students

• First ran in December 2015

• To be run biennially.



WEEK 1 Shanghai. Designed and planned by me.

• ROEWE car manufacturing plant/ tour. Roewe is one of only a small

number of Chinese luxury vehicle manufacturers. With manufacturing all but

extinct in Australia, a visit to a large plant such was a great opportunity.

• Yuyuan Market/ Bazaar. This bazaar is a bustling marketplace in the old

Chinese neighbourhood. Here, students saw traditional business and

economics at work – bartering, marketing, supply and demand and the

impact of employment.

• Synwalk Travel Co. Chinese owned travel company. Discussed with

students the changes in the tourism business over the years.



WEEK 1 Shanghai. Designed and planned by me.• Austrade. Students had a presentation that gave them a snapshot of

business and the economy in China, Australia’s trade with China and why

having Asia-literacy will give students a huge advantage in their future

careers.

• ‘M on the Bund’. A high-end Australian owned restaurant where one of the

co-owners had a discussion with students about business success by an

Aussie.

• World Financial Centre. This building is the world’s tallest mixed-use

development building. It is right in the heart of the Lujiazui Finance and

Trade Zone and has the world’s highest observatory at the 100th floor. It is a

remarkable insight into business development.



WEEK 1 cont. Designed and planned by me.

• Bridge 8 Investment Co. Chinese owned investment co. Originally an

automobile factory, it is now a building used for creative professionals.

Stunning contemporary design, themed on bridges, were creative

individuals are connected by just that!

• Creative Merchandise Solutions. Owned by a past student. A concept,

design and sourcing agency who create, manufacture and deliver bespoke

promotional items for businesses around the world. Trading cards for the

AFL and NRL as well as pins for NBA, World Poker, and have worked with

Lenovo, Ferrari and Warner Brothers.



FUTURE PLANS:

• ‘Historic Shanghai’ tour. Run by AsiaMedia. A walking/ bus tour that

focusses on the business history of Shanghai, one of the worlds most

prominent business cities pre-1949.

• Shanghai Stock Exchange. Visit the main business centre and VIP

client room. Presentation by stock market staff.



WEEK 2.

• Week 2 was organised and ran by an educational travel

company and was a cultural tour.

• Students visited Xi’an, Suzhou and Beijing.


My contact details

• Please contact me for any links/ resources/ detailed

lesson plans….. or if you have any other questions/

suggestions.

• [email protected]

• Follow me on twitter at Commerce with Asia

@MelissaWF4

• Questions?

mailto:[email protected]

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