Language-studies
Dec 5th 2008, 7:58 pm
#1
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Language-studies
What is the NZ policy relating to learning other languages than English? Do you make your school-children to learn another language or do you just rely on the fact there are so many immigrants to fill up the gap?
If you still have to study a foreign language, surely it can't be French? I mean, at your latitudes French is as useful as a eunuch in a porn-film. Surely, you must have some compulsory courses how to decipher the Chinese characters. If you don't, you bloody should do and soon.
If you still have to study a foreign language, surely it can't be French? I mean, at your latitudes French is as useful as a eunuch in a porn-film. Surely, you must have some compulsory courses how to decipher the Chinese characters. If you don't, you bloody should do and soon.
Dec 5th 2008, 9:10 pm
#2
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Re: Language-studies
What is the NZ policy relating to learning other languages than English? Do you make your school-children to learn another language or do you just rely on the fact there are so many immigrants to fill up the gap?
If you still have to study a foreign language, surely it can't be French? I mean, at your latitudes French is as useful as a eunuch in a porn-film. Surely, you must have some compulsory courses how to decipher the Chinese characters. If you don't, you bloody should do and soon.
If you still have to study a foreign language, surely it can't be French? I mean, at your latitudes French is as useful as a eunuch in a porn-film. Surely, you must have some compulsory courses how to decipher the Chinese characters. If you don't, you bloody should do and soon.
NB Best not to swear in foreign languages often causes offence.
Dec 7th 2008, 11:33 pm
#3
Sleazy Dippin Doodle
Joined: May 2007
Location: wellington
Posts: 1,363
Re: Language-studies
I know you shouldn't feed the trolls...but sometimes I ignore the signs.
So I will answer this.
In 2003 it was decided that schools which have Years 7-10 students are required to offer another language to learn. I understand that this is in addition to Maori, although I can't actually find the proof of that.
A number of schools are teaching spanish - why? Because a few years ago Spanish underwent a resurgence of sort in high school and university classes. Those same people learning the language then are (potentially) teaching it now.
As for French being about as useful as you have suggested. Well, considering the number of french speakers throughout the pacific (I deal with these people on an almost daily basis via email), a lot of africa and also parts of Asia. In fact, in large chunks of Asia (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia particularly) french is the second language of millions of people, it seems to be pretty useful.
NZ has not had a strong history of second (or third etc) language learning because in many ways it wasn't practical. Yes, language in French, German, and more recently Japanese, and of course Maori, was very popular and compulsory to learn at least one in high school. However, English was the best language considering trading partners (USA, Australia, UK) and its Pacific partners and its responsibilities throughout the Pacific. Whilst it would be great if various delegations or groups went and learned all the languages of the pacific it generally wasn't practical. Therefore, English as the communication tool (internationally) was king.
Sorry, sometimes I like to feed trolls. But I figured international language information is important to people so others may want to know.
So I will answer this.
In 2003 it was decided that schools which have Years 7-10 students are required to offer another language to learn. I understand that this is in addition to Maori, although I can't actually find the proof of that.
A number of schools are teaching spanish - why? Because a few years ago Spanish underwent a resurgence of sort in high school and university classes. Those same people learning the language then are (potentially) teaching it now.
As for French being about as useful as you have suggested. Well, considering the number of french speakers throughout the pacific (I deal with these people on an almost daily basis via email), a lot of africa and also parts of Asia. In fact, in large chunks of Asia (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia particularly) french is the second language of millions of people, it seems to be pretty useful.
NZ has not had a strong history of second (or third etc) language learning because in many ways it wasn't practical. Yes, language in French, German, and more recently Japanese, and of course Maori, was very popular and compulsory to learn at least one in high school. However, English was the best language considering trading partners (USA, Australia, UK) and its Pacific partners and its responsibilities throughout the Pacific. Whilst it would be great if various delegations or groups went and learned all the languages of the pacific it generally wasn't practical. Therefore, English as the communication tool (internationally) was king.
Sorry, sometimes I like to feed trolls. But I figured international language information is important to people so others may want to know.
Dec 7th 2008, 11:59 pm
#4
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Re: Language-studies
No, I'm not a troll and it wasn't my intention to be rude or offensive. I'm sorry if I came across as so. I'm just interested in this issue. However, perhaps the first reply was correct in that respect that it really is none of my business.
Dec 8th 2008, 12:03 am
#5
Sleazy Dippin Doodle
Joined: May 2007
Location: wellington
Posts: 1,363
Re: Language-studies
It did come across rude/trolling. If you weren't - was there anything in particular you were enquiring about?
Language instruction over the last few years has changed considerably. Quite positively imo. But, to a certain degree if NZ still retains a place in the Pacific, English will remain a key language for people.
Language instruction over the last few years has changed considerably. Quite positively imo. But, to a certain degree if NZ still retains a place in the Pacific, English will remain a key language for people.
Last edited by Kiwiprincess; Dec 8th 2008 at 12:10 am.
Dec 8th 2008, 12:31 am
#6
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Re: Language-studies
Well, I'm particularly interested if it has become more common in NZ/Australia for school-children to study Japanese or Chinese, perhaps some other oriental language as well. Of course, there are a lot of immigrants from those countries who speak those languages as their native languages but as especially China is becoming more and more important as an economic power, its language will increase in significance as well.
Dec 8th 2008, 1:00 am
#7
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,611
Re: Language-studies
Why are you interested out of interest?
Would it help if I copied over your thread into the Oz forum which has more people to answer this? I can do that for you.
FYI
Nelson Girls College.
If you google school curriculum's it will give you an idea of what is and is not taught. I've no idea what is compulsory but languages are certainly taken up as an option by many of the school kids we know .
Would it help if I copied over your thread into the Oz forum which has more people to answer this? I can do that for you.
FYI
Nelson Girls College.
If you google school curriculum's it will give you an idea of what is and is not taught. I've no idea what is compulsory but languages are certainly taken up as an option by many of the school kids we know .
