Bid to break language barrier

In the past 10 years schools have seen a decline in students continuing with Asian language units through to year 12.

James Sheahan Japanese teacher Michelle Whiteley said while she had seen a decline in students choosing the subject, those that did continued with the language well after leaving school.

“Many pursue it as a career and some go with it as a way of life,” she said.

“It is a great idea to encourage students to take Asian languages as it can define a good career path.”

Member for Calare John Cobb said the Coalition’s plan to revive foreign languages in schools was the right policy to help unlock the potential offered by Asian countries.

“Within a decade we want to see 40 per cent of all year 12 students in Calare and across Australia studying a foreign language,” he said.

James Sheahan principal Mark Paushamann said young people could be encouraged to study Asian languages through better media and community engagement with the Asian region.

“There has to be a purpose, a reason for learning the language,” he said.

Mr Paushamnn says the decline in students continuing with the subject might be due to the ever-expanding school curriculum.

“The curriculum has expanded to such a point that students have a choice of a whole range of subject choices, from academic to vocational,” he said.

nicole.kuter@ruralpress.com