In-Person Panel PS2.3

Roundtable
Asian Languages Education Futures in Australia

In the post-COVID era and in light of the transnational challenges we face, it is increasingly important to renew support for Asian languages education in Australia. Stakeholders continue to discuss the type of support Asian languages education needs now and into the future. We acknowledge that perspectives vary across government offices, education sectors, and communities, as well and across language areas and fields of research. Does Australia need to revive national Asian languages policy and funding, and how might this relate to a broader agenda for languages education? Should states and territories, education sectors or other organisations take the lead? What about community languages education, ‘priority’ Asian languages or language teacher education? Are there any consistency and communication across sectors? Why are there tensions between the rhetoric and the realities? This roundtable aims to share a range of perspectives and possibilities about the future of Asian language education in Australia. Facilitated by ASAA Teacher Representative Counsellor, Rebecca Cairns from Deakin University, and Kayoko Hashimoto from the University of Queensland, the roundtable will bring together expert presenters whose perspectives will stimulate discussion among audience participants.