November 2008

Report on Chinese Language Education in Australian Schools

A report on Chinese Language Education in Australian Schools written by Dr Jane Orton, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, The University of Melbourne, has recently been published and is being widely circulated to nationally representative group of stakeholders.

The report describes the current state of Chinese language education in Australian schools and provides recommendations for future action.

‘To develop the present relationship with this country, China, to great mutual economic and social benefit would require a solid pool of Australians who deeply understand China and can speak Chinese well. Figures at the end of 2007 show that fewer than 20% of Australians working in China can speak the language, and only 10% have studied even one China-related subject. At year 12 nationally, a scant 3% of students take Chinese, 94% of whom are first language speakers of Chinese.’

The report was the focus of discussion at a National Forum funded by the Australia China Council and hosted by the Asia Education Foundation in Melbourne on 27-28 October, 2008. The forum program together with electronic forum presentations will be available on the AEF website soon.

New website - Languages open the door to a bigger world

Languages Open The Door To A Bigger World is a new website that highlights the intercultural, intellectual and vocational benefits of learning languages. It is aimed at a range of stakeholders that includes parents, students, school leaders and teachers.

The website provides promotional materials and strategies to encourage the learning of languages as widely as possible. These materials include PowerPoint presentations for different audiences, stories about champions of languages and information about supporter organisations.

Go to http://www.languagesopenthedoor.edu.au

The Asia Education Foundation works with government and non-government school sectors in all states and territories, teacher education institutions and professional and parent associations to promote and support the studies of Asia across the curriculum in all Australian schools. This includes the provision of professional learning programs and the production of contemporary resources (Access Asia series). http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au

Contact us if you wish to learn more about the AEF's work or be taken off the AEF e-news
Phone: +61 3 8344 3590
Email: aef@asialink.unimelb.edu.au