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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).
The presentation will draw on the Academy report as well as on a collaborative project investigating advanced language programs in European and Asian languages at Australian universities. It will be argued 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.
REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 4:00PM AEST ON Tuesday, April 23.
We welcome participants in-person at the Glover Cottages, tickets to be pre-paid . Once the limit for in-person attendees is reached, tickets will no longer be sold on the website or at the door.
Refreshments will be served from 6pm at Glover Cottages. The event will start at 6.30pm AEST (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne time), Tuesday April 23 .
For further information please email nswexec@internationalaffairs.org.au
