Comments on: How to solve Australia’s language learning crisis

By: Luc Belliveau

Luc Belliveau — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 01:15:00 +0000

This is similar to what a lot of people in my home province of Nova Scotia say about learning French: there’s no point in learning it, it’s too time consuming, learning a second language will take away from other subjects. The same person may then go on to complain about how if you want to get a good government job, you need French. Or they may say “Oh, I wish I had really payed attention in French immersion in high school…” or complain about how all of the good teachers are going to the Acadian school system, because students in that system somehow always score significantly higher on provincial exams across subjects.

I don’t think that these opinions are congruous, but all of these things may be said by the same person (living in a(n officially) bilingual country!) In my opinion, the time it takes to learn a language (I took over 1000 hours of Mandarin classes in Taiwan, and probably spent another 500 doing self study over the period of around two years), is considerable but always worth it. I always find it easier to communicate with speakers of multiple languages, regardless of the language we share, and no one has ever scolded me for speaking three languages and a patois.

By: Ka Ho Lawrence HO

Ka Ho Lawrence HO — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 21:49:00 +0000

Dear Professor Piller and fellow classmates,

Personally, I believe it is a global trend students’ language abilities are declining. A major reason is that students spend much time on social networking sites. They use the texting abbreviations and internet acronyms, which cannot be used in their academic studies. From time to time, they just adapt the ways they construct their online communication into their academic work. I noticed from one of my associate degree students that a majority of them do not know how to write emails appropriately, even they have learned that in their secondary studies. Motivation is also another way which teachers can work on in order to attract students to focus on their studies. Some secondary schools in Hong Kong have started launching STEM education by letting students to design investigations under these disciplines. Students have to plan, create, and test what they think into practice. The sense of achievement after they develop the final products is the most treasurable and this driving force is the major incentive for students to keep on learning.

Just some thoughts,

Lawrence

By: S_A_

S_A_ — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 04:42:00 +0000

I am a Belgian student and I have grown up learning 3 languages (English, French and German), because it was obligatory. I have never regretted that and I am so glad I have learned the languages, since it has so many benefits in life in general and not only on “a trip to Paris”. I completely agree with the post saying that the argument that language learning would come at the expense of a focus on STEM is bogus. I can honestly say that even though STEM is more popular among Belgian students, there is still time in the curriculum to learn at least 2 other languages.

By: swati sharma

swati sharma — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 09:38:00 +0000

It would not be wrong to say that English language has conquered almost the whole world. It has become the common language of all the people of the world. Specially in Australia where migrate from almost all parts of the world, the common way to communicate and develop contacts is through the medium of English. Earlier where Greek and german were the most popular second language spoken in Australia now this has been replaced by Arabic, mandarin and mostly English. In my opinion to foster the learning of LOTE, languages should be made available to the students from the ver start of their education. They should be positively motivated and should be made aware of the importance and usefulness of other languages. Moreover to increase the ratio of other language learning several amendments should be made in the timetable and LOTE should be given equal importance and weightage like other subjects and sports.

By: swati sharma

swati sharma — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 08:56:00 +0000

It would not be wrong to say that English is overpowering all other languages. English has become the common language of almost all the people of the world yet leaving behind other languages. Earlier Greek and German were the historically second language of Australia which now has been replaced mostly by English, mandarin and Arabic. In my opinion language choices should be made open to children from the very start of their education. Students should be motivated to learn other languages and awareness should be created in the students about the importance and usefulness of learning other languages. Students should be allowed to opt for the language in which they are interested so that they can learn it in a better way rather than forcing them or making a language compulsory to learn. Several amendments should be made in the school time tables so as the timetables have enough time for other LOTE just like sports.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 07:30:00 +0000

Making a language other than English compulsory is a brilliant idea to promote the learning and teaching of second language in English-speaking countries, particularly in Australia. In the vast majority of non-English speaking countries, English is a mandatory subject and people learn it with strong motivation and enthusiasm. People whose English is their first language are likely not to feel the urge to acquire another language. In addition, it has been argued that “the crowed curriculum” inhibits students from learning other foreign languages as the study of STEM consumes a lot of students’ time and effort. This argument is not entirely valid as a number of students in other countries especially in Asia, where heavy focus is put on STEM subjects, still manage to excel in both second language and STEM subjects.

By: Riser

Riser — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 00:59:00 +0000

Thank you for bringing this issue up, Inggrid.
It is sad to know that Australia government does not take any serious action on adding some more hours for other languages except English at any schools around Australia. This actions reveals how the Australian positions English as global language and ignore the importance of learning other languages. I believe that, with the growing number of business and globalisation, it is possible to say that in the future English will not be the only international language used by many people, but, there will be other international languages such as Mandarin, French and etc emerge in the society. And it is true that these days, other countries like Korea, Finland are preparing their students to learn other language except English because the stakeholders succeed to see the benefits of learning many learning.
Learning other languages except English benefits students in many ways. First, learning other languages like Japanese, French etc will help them when they travel to the designated countries. Besides, learning other languages can make someone become more open-minded person and accept the diversity. Also, some health studies revealed that people who learn some languages tend to have low-risk of dementia in the late age. Therefore, based on the advantages of learning other language, Australian government should consider adding more hours for learning other languages in the Australian curriculum.

By: Dhanisa Kamila

Dhanisa Kamila — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 02:06:00 +0000

The dissemination of knowledge is internationally published mostly in English and this situation is driving academia from around the world to look up to it. English has been seen as the global language and many people think that having only English proficiency is enough and, for many people who are native English speakers, learning other language is a waste of time. However, it is not true. Learning foreign language is not a waste of time because it has cognitive and health benefits as mentioned by Prof. Ingrid in Ten News. Language is an important factor in education that cannot be forgotten.

By: Ulfath Sadia

Ulfath Sadia — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 09:54:00 +0000

In my country, English is taught as a compulsory subject and it is an enormous pressure for the students because they are learning a language they do not use outside of their academic life. So, I am not pleased with the concept of “crowded curriculum” as our students have to study more than twelve subjects. Coming from a country where learners are forced to learn different languages like English or Arabic it’s a different view for me. However, Australians’ are lucky to manage by being monolingual, while I find it more interesting to learn more languages.

By: Hanne Houbracken

Hanne Houbracken — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 01:04:00 +0000

As a Belgian student, who had to study three compulsory foreign languages in high school and who has a Bachelor degree in English-Swedish, coming into contact with both American and Australian people with knowledge of only one language, English, is a weird experience. As my Australian friend here said: “I wish I could speak another language but my entire life I’ve only been surrounded by English. English was always enough. Australia is not like Europe, where you travel a couple of hours and you have to speak another language.” The minister believes English is enough. I don’t think it is.

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 02:54:00 +0000

I do agree that the explanation of ‘crowded curriculum’ does not make sense to the objection of placing more compulsory foreign languages in public schools. It is not in Australia where students have to study literacy, numeracy and science. The data, moreover, have shown that even students were exposed to less compulsory foreign language learning, they were still outperformed by students from other countries. As China was presented here on the top, I’d like to share what I experienced when I was there for my study. We may have heard a lot of stories or come across statistics about the suicide rates committed by Chinese students due to the pressure they had from study which could explain how ‘crowded’ the curriculum is. However, learning foreign languages is compulsory to all students. In university, for example, there are more options for students to select such as French, German, Spanish, and so on. Though they are free to choose the language, learning any of them is still compulsory.

By: Brendan Kavanagh

Brendan Kavanagh — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 06:50:00 +0000

I can speak to my own experience on this. Ten years ago I began teaching English as a second language in China. The classrooms there embraced an immersive approach to language learning, with native English
speakers speaking only English in the classroom.

I married into a Chinese family and moved back to Australia to study Mandarin in university. My wife wanted to be a Mandarin teacher here in Australia, but despite studying at some of the top universities in China, she had to study all over again – plus achieve a near impossible IELTS score in order to register. (see links below)

https://www.facebook.com/ttadelaide/videos/1474405435914401/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiJgNHSiesI

On the other hand, those at the bottom of my Mandarin class were easily able to walk into jobs as Mandarin teachers.

Despite talk of moving into a Chinese Century, it appears to me as though the system for hiring Mandarin teachers is highly in favour of native English speakers with minimal Mandarin proficiency, than Mandarin speakers with ‘imperfect’ English. It is hard to imagine children achieving a high level of Mandarin fluency under this system.

By: Flora Launay

Flora Launay — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 23:56:00 +0000

Thank you for this brilliant article Ingrid. To be honest, I am quite shocked to know that learning a foreign language is NOT compulsory in Australia. I had never thought about it and took it for granted that it must be part of the curicula. Coming from a French background, learning two foreign languages is the norm for me and I believed that the majority of the countries had the same requirements in terms of languages. I could not imagine that Australia, a developed and rich country, did not have this requirement! How can the politicians ignore the benefits it brings to students? How can they give such futile excuses to not implement a foreign language in the curicula? Even though I understand that maths, science, and other subjects are important, I cannot accept the “we do not have time” excuse. When there’s a will, there’s a way. To me, the situation is not admissible and parents, school teachers, and education staff should fight for the implementation of a mandatory foreign language at school. Learning a foreign language is so much more than just learning rules and vocabulary. It allows students to open up to a new world and become citizens of the world. Isn’t it the whole purpose of schooling in the end?

By: NAMI NARIMATSU

NAMI NARIMATSU — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 06:46:00 +0000

I have acknowledged that English has been central to a common language over the world, English subjects are compulsory from a five-year grade at Japanese schools, and a required subject of entrance exams at high schools and universities in Japan. Additionally, It is understandable that Australian students tend to reluctant to study a second language due to English dominance. However, I wonder about the statement that the crowded curriculum has no space for language learning. Although some countries, where English education is compulsory, cover other subjects including mathematics, science,, reading, and so on, what makes Australian education curriculum so packed?

By: ALEXANDROS BINOS

ALEXANDROS BINOS — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 02:43:00 +0000

I have always questioned why learning at least a second language in Australian schools is not compulsory considering the all-round benefits particularly cognitive and socio-cultural. Although the answer may be quite complex, i am personally drawn to the conclusion that our politicians see no reason since English is exponentially becoming the global language of communication, business, trade etc. Our Australian politicians are not loosing sleep over the myriad of benefits of fluently learning a second language unless it will further and directly increase their coffers. Sadly, learning has pervasively become a business.

By: Language on the Move

Language on the Move — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 00:41:00 +0000

In reply to Nicole. Well, we don't have to reinvent the wheel all the time: as I said in the article, Finland is doing it quite well and so do many other education systems ...