Australia To Invest In Asia Literacy, Asian Languages

Australian students must have a better understanding of the culture, history, and languages of her Asian neighbors, says a white paper released by the Gillard Administration.

AsianScientist (Oct. 29, 2012) – Success in the Asian century will require all Australian students to have a better understanding of the culture, history, and languages of her Asian neighbors, says a white paper released on Saturday by the Gillard Administration.

The White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century sets out a range of goals and aspirations for the Australian government, business, and education.

In line with these objectives, School Education Minister Peter Garrett has released three national education objectives for Australian students:

First, for students to have significant exposure to studies of Asia across the curriculum to increase their cultural knowledge.

Second, for all students to have the opportunity to study an Asian language from their first day of school through to Year 12. Priority Asian languages include Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Indonesian, and Japanese.

Third, for Australia’s school system to be in the top five schooling systems in the world, delivering excellent outcomes for all students of all backgrounds, and systematically improving performance over time, as outlined in the National Plan for School Improvement.

“Our Asian neighbors are rapidly becoming the economic powerhouse of the world, and are increasing in global strategic importance,” Mr. Garrett said.

“The growth in the economies of nations like China, India and Indonesia will provide fantastic opportunities for Australian businesses, and help create thousands of high-tech, high-skill and high-wage jobs for Australians.”

Asia-literacy will be a core requirement in new education reforms being negotiated between the Commonwealth, States and Territories, and non-government education authorities under the National Plan for School Improvement.

The Gillard Government will also work with business and the community to encourage students to study an Asian language and build their skills for the future.

All schools will engage with at least one school in Asia to support the teaching of a priority Asian language, including through increased use of the National Broadband Network.

“These national objectives support the Government’s ambition for Australia to be in the top five schooling systems in the world, delivering excellent outcomes for all students regardless of their background,” Mr. Garrett said.

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Source: Australia in the Asian Century; Photo: AAP/Paul Miller.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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