MLTA NSW- Petition to stop Macquarie University discontinuing language courses
59 Comments
S
Sabina Groeneveld
2 years ago
Save languages offerings at Macquarie University and with that cultural diversity and linguistic heritage of Australia!
A
Andrew Jeppesen
2 years ago
More than ever before, this country and this world need more multilingual people who have a broader perspective, understand others and can think critically.
A
Angela Giovanangeli
2 years ago
All languages are important.
S
Stephanie Rosier
2 years ago
As a high school language teacher, I fully understand how important it is for students to have pathways through which to use the language they are learning in high school in the future. If students see that universities do not value the languages they are learning, this will impact on their decision to continue learning at high school as well. The study of languages is often undermined as something unimportant in a world of technology and in comparison to other subjects. A university should have the insight to see that learning a language is not simply about speaking it, but about how we foster global communities of peace and understanding. It is very disappointing to hear that the university plans to jeopardise the future of language students in New South Wales with this decision. I myself have a student who was looking forward to continuing her studies of Italian in 2024 at Macquarie University. I sincerely hope that her future plans are not skewed by this ill informed decision.
R
Rosa Scalzo
2 years ago
Learning a language and its culture is so important to play an active role in the international community and to overcome prejudices and pre concepts.
B
Bron Calcraft
2 years ago
This is outrageous! In a time and world where international relations and communication are key, languages should be centre to education. I am Head if Languages in a school which offers 6 languages other than English. I am also an ex Languages student of MU and would be devastated should it choose to get rid of ANY language! I urge a rethink!
S
Stephen Dunk
2 years ago
It is distressing to hear that Macquarie is proposing to discontinue offering the study of so many languages at a tertiary level. This will only act as a disincentive for students to study languages at school as well. What will be the point of studying a language if the possibility of further study at tertiary level is even more restricted? In addition, our premier educational institutions need to be promoting cultural awareness and learning a language is key to this.
M
Maria Doro
2 years ago
This is shocking to hear. Death of these languages at the tertiary level has a detrimental effect on the study of any language at all levels. We know and speak of the incredible benefits of learning any language, not just the cultural and employment benefits, but also the cognitive and social benefits, yet tertiary institutes like Macquarie Uni, undermines the value of learning a language, especially these community languages.
M
Miriam Lewin
2 years ago
Featured
That German and Italian are being discontinued is beyond belief. Especially German has been taught at the Uni for decades. In these times where global interaction is vital, this must be reconsidered.
A
Anonymous
2 years ago
Please save the languages and Australian linguistic diversity
S
Stephen Laurence
2 years ago
It would be a tragedy to discontinue these languages at tertiary level. Languages study is an essential part of the curriculum at all levels of education and denying access to them at tertiary level would be a retrograde step.
S
Salina Bussien
2 years ago
Languages are essential to communicating effectively and building strong relationships with others in and outside Australia not only on a human level but across all professional sectors.
Let us not forget that we need language teachers to share their knowledge, skills and passion with our students now and in the future.
J
Jodie Lynch
2 years ago
As language teachers, our mission is to promote love for languages and cultural diversity. Australia is identified as a multicultural country where there is a huge range of languages spoken. Discontinuation of these languages will not only impact tertiary education choices for students but also have a ripple effect on language departments in primary feeder schools and their high schools.
N
Nicole Tyalor
2 years ago
Discontinuing language courses will be detrimental to our cultural heritage and diversity nation wide.
G
Gabriel Henao
2 years ago
The multicultural identity of Australia is something to embrace, protect and promote. Discontinuing language courses sets a sad precedent.
E
Elaine Russell
2 years ago
I am astounded at such a decision.
K
Kirsten Binnie
2 years ago
These languages need to be taught at Macquarie University and around Australia not just for the sake of students and staff but also to ensure the linguistic diversity and cultural heritage in Australia.
M
Makiko Naito
2 years ago
Keep Croatian, Italian, German, Modern Greek, and Russian!
V
Vanessa Williams
2 years ago
What could possibly be the reasons to discontinue these languages?
Save languages offerings at Macquarie University and with that cultural diversity and linguistic heritage of Australia!
More than ever before, this country and this world need more multilingual people who have a broader perspective, understand others and can think critically.
All languages are important.
As a high school language teacher, I fully understand how important it is for students to have pathways through which to use the language they are learning in high school in the future. If students see that universities do not value the languages they are learning, this will impact on their decision to continue learning at high school as well. The study of languages is often undermined as something unimportant in a world of technology and in comparison to other subjects. A university should have the insight to see that learning a language is not simply about speaking it, but about how we foster global communities of peace and understanding. It is very disappointing to hear that the university plans to jeopardise the future of language students in New South Wales with this decision. I myself have a student who was looking forward to continuing her studies of Italian in 2024 at Macquarie University. I sincerely hope that her future plans are not skewed by this ill informed decision.
Learning a language and its culture is so important to play an active role in the international community and to overcome prejudices and pre concepts.
This is outrageous! In a time and world where international relations and communication are key, languages should be centre to education. I am Head if Languages in a school which offers 6 languages other than English. I am also an ex Languages student of MU and would be devastated should it choose to get rid of ANY language! I urge a rethink!
It is distressing to hear that Macquarie is proposing to discontinue offering the study of so many languages at a tertiary level. This will only act as a disincentive for students to study languages at school as well. What will be the point of studying a language if the possibility of further study at tertiary level is even more restricted? In addition, our premier educational institutions need to be promoting cultural awareness and learning a language is key to this.
This is shocking to hear. Death of these languages at the tertiary level has a detrimental effect on the study of any language at all levels. We know and speak of the incredible benefits of learning any language, not just the cultural and employment benefits, but also the cognitive and social benefits, yet tertiary institutes like Macquarie Uni, undermines the value of learning a language, especially these community languages.
That German and Italian are being discontinued is beyond belief. Especially German has been taught at the Uni for decades. In these times where global interaction is vital, this must be reconsidered.
Please save the languages and Australian linguistic diversity
It would be a tragedy to discontinue these languages at tertiary level. Languages study is an essential part of the curriculum at all levels of education and denying access to them at tertiary level would be a retrograde step.
Languages are essential to communicating effectively and building strong relationships with others in and outside Australia not only on a human level but across all professional sectors. Let us not forget that we need language teachers to share their knowledge, skills and passion with our students now and in the future.
As language teachers, our mission is to promote love for languages and cultural diversity. Australia is identified as a multicultural country where there is a huge range of languages spoken. Discontinuation of these languages will not only impact tertiary education choices for students but also have a ripple effect on language departments in primary feeder schools and their high schools.
Discontinuing language courses will be detrimental to our cultural heritage and diversity nation wide.
The multicultural identity of Australia is something to embrace, protect and promote. Discontinuing language courses sets a sad precedent.
I am astounded at such a decision.
These languages need to be taught at Macquarie University and around Australia not just for the sake of students and staff but also to ensure the linguistic diversity and cultural heritage in Australia.
Keep Croatian, Italian, German, Modern Greek, and Russian!
What could possibly be the reasons to discontinue these languages?