[EDLING:285] Australia: Language, the missing word in our schools

[Francis M. Hult]

The Age

Language, the missing word in our schools

WALKING around Preston Market this weekend, I was overjoyed to hear not a word 
of English spoken around me. Despite the fact that Melbourne is a linguistic 
hotbed, Australia has an appalling record with languages.

Commentators such as the Australian Council of State School Organisations label 
this "an international embarrassment and national disgrace". Influential groups 
such as the Group of Eight Australian research-intensive universities call 
for "a new attitude towards languages and the learning of languages in 
Australia".

Full story:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/language-the-missing-word-in-our-
schools/2007/07/05/1183351371038.html