Why is Indonesian taught in Australian schools?

Since its introduction, a number of government policy initiatives have supported the teaching of Indonesian, largely for economic and national security reasons. The introduction of Indonesian language studies in 1955 was in response to the Australian Government’s concerns about regional stability in Asia.

Does Australian learn Indonesian language?

Primary schools make up the overwhelming bulk of students learning Indonesian in Australia. However, there are now far fewer pathways for students to follow the language into their secondary education.

What percentage of Australian students are learning Indonesian at school?

That is, of 639,016 students, almost one in three is studying Indonesian at some level. In relation to Year 12 only, Indonesian represents approximately 11 per cent of all students enrolled in a Year 12 NALSSP language. That is, of 11,654 students, approximately one in 10 is studying Indonesian at Year 12 level.

Is it compulsory to learn a language at school in Australia?

But in South Australia, there’s far less requirement for language learning. Schools are required to teach languages for 80 minutes per week from foundation to year 7, and 128 minutes per week in year 8. There is no requirement beyond year 8, meaning the total amount mandated is 474 hours.

Why Indonesia matters in our schools a rationale for Indonesian Language and Studies in Australian education?

That potential depends on getting to know each other at school. This rationale aims to provide Australian schools with a compelling reason why knowing Indonesia matters. It helps us achieve Australia’s national education goals and strengthens intercultural learning for young people in our part of the world.

Why should Australians learn Indonesia?

Universities cut Asia literacy as COVID bites The AEF launched a new policy paper ‘Rationale for Indonesian Language and Studies in Australian Education’, which highlights four reasons why studying Indonesian is important in Australian schools: proximity, language literacy, creativity and sustainability.

Why should I learn Indonesian?

Studying Indonesian means that you can communicate with more than 250 million Indonesians according to population, of which only a small percentage can speak English. Thus, learning Indonesian gives immense access to nearly 270 million people, including the inhabitants of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.

Does Australia have a national language policy?

While the EU language education policy speaks ‘mother tongue plus two’, Australia currently does not have any national Languages policy. Its absence testifies silently to an English-speaking monolingual mindset that continues to undermine support for Languages education.

Why does Indonesia matter in schools?

Building our important friendship with Indonesia is essential to preparing young Australians for the future that lies ahead. With common interests in democracy, diversity and peace in our region, knowing and engaging with Indonesia can go a long way in helping us know who – and where – we are.

Why learning Indonesian is important?

Indonesian? Learning another language fosters students’ ability to think and reflect about the workings of language, and to develop mental flexibility and problem-solving strategies. It also increases opportunities and abilities to develop interpersonal skills and cultural awareness.

Why is Indonesian an important language?

Better means of communication Indonesians are traditionalists and conservative and learning the language means learning about their culture and traditions as well. Indonesian is the official language in the entire country and knowing how to speak it will allow you to communicate wherever you go in Indonesia.

Why isn’t Korean being taught in schools in Australia?

Despite government funding in 2008to promote learning Korean, along with Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian, this has not resulted in strong numbers studying Korean at schools in Australia. Again, languages education seems to be having trouble keeping up. Who decides what languages to offer?

Should foreign languages be compulsory in primary schools in Australia?

While most other states have compulsory languages at specific year levels, none have them after Year 8, meaning most students give up studying early. In Western Australia, more than a quarter of the state’s public primary schools don’t offer foreign languages, even though all of them did four years ago. Ms Kirby says the numbers are concerning.

Can Indonesia’s education system work?

Making Indonesia’s education system ‘work’ — in the sense of achieving higher educational standards and better learning outcomes — therefore requires a fundamental shift in the underlying political and social relationships that have shaped the evolution of Indonesia’s education system to date.

Why is Victoria the only state to have a compulsory language?

Victoria is the only state committed to compulsory language education, with a goal of having compulsory languages learning for all students in government schools, prep to Year 10, by 2025. While most other states have compulsory languages at specific year levels, none have them after Year 8, meaning most students give up studying early.