June 27, 2024, 6:02 am
There is a curious paradox about the state of Chinese language learning in Australia. A Chinese program on an urban university campus may well have over an enrolment of over a thousand students.
However, very few of this enrolment proceed to advanced Chinese courses that seek to train the student in higher level analytical skills together with core China knowledge.
A recent report of the Australian Academy of Humanities has concluded that "there are serious questions around our ability to generate core capability for stakeholders: direct knowledge of China informed by world-class understanding of how China operates and [knowledge that is] engaged with Australia’s national interests" (Australia’s China Knowledge Capability, 2023, p. vi).
Join us as Professor Anne McLaren argues that the problems facing advanced Chinese language programs are in fact systemic and comprehensive in nature. A national approach is required to redress the decline in China expertise and prepare our citizenry for the challenges that lie ahead.
Content Creator – Australian Institute of International Affairs
