Language policy

[suyongli]

Over the last few weeks, it seems that there's been a minor skirmish going on in the Australian's Higher Education opinion section over language teaching programs in Australian schools. Everyone agrees that Australia should become more multilingual, the issue is which languages should be taught. (How they should be taught and even saving languages

Comments

[majoru]

Working in education, I'd have to say there are far worse problems with our educational system than a lack of emphasis on second language acquisition.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a strong believer in having at least a smattering of another language or two, and I very much agree with what Frazicus said, that learning another language, in the context of applied linguistics, would help Australian students use their own language more effectively. On the other hand, most of the students I teach have such poor skills in their mother tongue that I am ashamed and saddened.
I think we need a return to teaching grammar (in context). I think junior English needs to return to a focus of correct syntax and spelling, reading and expressing thoughts effectively. I tire of spending a large portion of the time I'm supposed to be teaching Science, to teaching grammar, spelling and writing genres.

I could rave all night, but briefly: I think learning other languages is valuable, but I think the greater problem is that our model of education seems to be circling the drain.