The Australian Bite

Inspiring young Australians to learn Asian languages

11 June 2009

Listen and download: MP3

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd may be known for his Chinese language skills, but unfortunately there’s been no visible trickle-down effect inspiring young Australians to take up studies of Asian languages and culture.  But things may be about to change.  Leading academics and business people, along with the Federal government, are all talking up the need for Australia to become a more Asia-literate country.  Money has been promised, plans are being made, and we find out more about it on this week’s Australian Bite.

A proposal to build a more Asia-literate Australia

A report launched on Wednesday by the Griffith Asia Institute at Griffith University in Queensland, has proposed a new strategy to increase the so-called “Asia Literacy” of Australians over the next 30 years. The report, “Building An Asia-Literate Australia: An Australia Strategy for Asian Language Proficiency”, warns that Australia must do away with its current monolingual mindset, and prioritise the study of Asian languages and cultures. Heather Jarvis finds out more from Griffith Asia Institute Director – and the incoming executive director of leading Australian think-tank, The Lowy Institute – Professor Michael Wesley.

You can read the Griffith report online here: http://www.griffith.edu.au/australian-strategy-asian-language-proficiency

Asian Languages in Australian schools

Kathe Kirby, the Executive Director of Melbourne University’s Asialink Centre, has long been a passionate advocate of the need for more Asian language and cultural studies in Australian schools. She was a foundation member of the Asia Education Foundation and has particular responsibility for Asialink’s education strategies. I spoke to Kathe Kirby about some of the challenges involved in getting more students to study Asian languages and cultures at primary, secondary and university level.

The Asialink website is a valuable source of information for anyone interested in the relationship between Australia and Asia.  You can access it here: http://www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au/

Business calls for a focus on Asia in schools

The Business Alliance for Asia Literacy is a coalition of 60 Associations, councils and corporations – including the Australian Council of Trade Unions – who are calling for a greater Asia focus in the education of Australia’s next generation.  I found out more about the Alliance from Peter Yates, who is Deputy Chairman of Asialink, and Chairman of the Graduate School of Business at Melbourne University. A well known figure in business circles, Peter Yates has an extensive background in the investment banking and media industries.

Read the statement by the Business Alliance for Asia Literacy here at the Asialink website.

Music (not in podcast)

Australian composer Catherine Duc was born in Melbourne and studied keyboard and classical piano as a child, later completing studies in music arrangement, live recording and production at the Alfred Brash Sound House in the Melbourne Concert Hall. Her music is a blend of Celtic and world melodies with electronica and atmospheric soundscapes.

Artist: Catherine Duc

Track: Evocation

Album: Visions and Dreams (2005)

Catherine Duc’s website: http://www.catherineduc.com/