Minister for School Education Peter Garrett recently announced that the Gillard Government is investing $15.2 million in seven new projects to encourage more students to study Asian languages, and help teachers get the experience and skills they need in Asian literacy. Mr. Garrett explained that the funding was allocated in this year’s Budget as part of the National Plan for School Improvement.
“Under the National Plan, this Government has set an ambitious goal of offering every child access to the study of an Asian language from their first day of school by 2025.” Mr. Garrett commented.

Mr. Garrett explained that projects to boost Asian language teaching include:
• Developing additional languages curricula for Chinese (Mandarin), Indonesian, Japanese and Korean for Years 11 and 12 and a new Hindi curriculum for all years to Year 12.
• Training modules for Asian language teachers to introduce them to more effective methods for teaching Asian languages and increase their awareness of existing digital resources that can support their language teaching.
• Training modules and resources for current and trainee teachers to help them incorporate studies of Asia into their teaching of all learning areas across the Australian Curriculum.
• A Flagship Program for Asia Literacy that will help teachers improve the teaching practices in Asian languages, culture and history at their school and to establish partnerships with local communities and business as well as schools in Asia. The program will be developed and delivered by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership.
• A grants program to support innovative ways for schools to work with business, the community and other schools to stimulate demand for Asia language learning amongst students. For example, grants could support schools working with universities and businesses to promote Asian-linked career opportunities to their students

Mr. Garrett went on to explain that the Government is also refocusing the Endeavour Language Teacher Fellowships program which allows language and trainee language teachers to go overseas to improve their language and cultural skills on Asia. The study program sends 50 per cent of participants to Asia and 50 per cent to Europe. By 2016 this ratio will be 80 per cent studying in Asia.
“For Australia to remain competitive in the Asian Century, young Australians need to have the skills to build strong relationships with Asia, so it’s vital our schools can provide language classes and opportunities for further study,” Mr. Garrett said.