The AMSE is a three-year education program with a distinctly Australian flavour. The course follows the lives and adventures of two Chinese students studying and living in Australia. It introduces students in China to Australian culture, customs, and

language. Students improve their English in the AMSE as they learn about things as diverse as Australian animals, money, expectations in an Australian classroom and what it is like to stay with an Australian ‘homestay’ family. It also gives students knowledge about some of their more important legal rights and responsibilities in Australia; further prepares them to take their place in a global environment and teaches them how to be successful students in an Australian secondary school.

The AMSE materials have been produced through collaboration between highly qualified and experienced Chinese and Australian educators. The Australian collaborators are based at the Adelaide Secondary School of English (ASSE) in South Australia. The ASSE has been successfully preparing students with minimal English for secondary school since the 1970s. In 2002, ASSE received accreditation and international acclaim from the European Council of International Schools, joining an elite group of just 200 around the world recognised for their exceptionally high standards.

I am sure the AMSE examinations, which have been specifically tailored for the schools sector, will meet the changing needs of Middle School students in China, many of whom want to have a ‘study-abroad’ experience and learn English in an English-speaking country like Australia. The AMSE will help them to greatly improve their use of English and also prepare them for living and studying in Australia.

Students who successfully complete this course will improve their use of the English language to the point where they may be able to achieve an IELTS score as high as 4.5. This will provide a solid foundation upon which students may build their desired levels of proficiency in English. It also means that they will be sufficiently prepared to enter an Intensive Secondary English Course (ISEC) and to pursue further studies in Australia.

I am pleased to present the Australian Middle School English to Middle School students in China. Should you decide to participate in this excellent program, I can assure you that you will be warmly welcomed in Australia, andin particular, Adelaide, South Australia.