Language is a powerful tool in increasing engagement, communication, and cross-cultural understanding, and could play a vital role in fostering relations between Australia and the Asia-Pacific. So how can we make sure we’re giving students the language skills and experience they need? On this week’s Policy Forum Pod an expert panel – Associate Professor Angela Scarino, Grazia Scotellaro, and Luke Courtois – discuss policy to encourage the study of Asian languages and whether is doing enough in the Asian Century.
Our presenters – Professor Quentin Grafton, and Lydia Kim – also discuss what the latest twists and turns in the Brexit saga tell us about the state of democracy in the UK, tackle some of your questions and comments, and welcome some new members of our Facebook group.
Angela Scarino is an Associate Professor in Applied Linguistics in the School of Communication, International Studies and Languages at the University of South Australia and is the Director of the Research Centre for Languages and Cultures. She was visiting ANU to take part in the Innovative Language Education Symposium, organised by the School of Culture, History, and Language.
Grazia Scotellaro is the Digital Learning Advisor for the College of Asia and the Pacific at The Australian National University and has a background in Technology Enhanced Language Learning.
Luke Courtois recently graduated from The Australian National University with a Bachelor of International Security Studies completing a double major in International Security/Thai language.
Quentin Grafton is Professor of Economics at Crawford School, an ANU Public Policy Fellow, and Director of the Centre for Water Economics, Environment and Policy. He is also Editor-in-Chief of Policy Forum.
Lydia Kim is a presenter for Policy Forum Pod.
Show notes | The following were referred to in this episode:
Brexit news section on The Guardian
National Policy on Languages - Making multicultural Australia
List of Indigenous Australia languages
‘Australia in the Asian Century’ White Paper
University of South Australia Research Centre for Languages and Cultures
ANU School of Culture, History & Language
Early Learning Languages Australia (ella)
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