Speaking in Tongues

If New Zealand wants to remain competitive and continue to produce leaders that thrive in a global environment, foreign language studies are imperative, writes Alexander Speirs.

New Zealand is certainly a distinctive nation. We’re heralded as resilient people, known for our ingenuity, creativity and individuality. However, when it comes to learning foreign languages, we’re unique for all the wrong reasons.

The importance of foreign language education was common rhetoric at the Indonesia Forum and China Business Summit, both recently held in Auckland. Many of our most prominent business and political figures spoke of the value of understanding not only the native tongue of foreign nations, but the associated norms and customs.

The 21^st century has undoubtedly marked the dawn of the Asian era. Besides being home to some of the most powerful existing and emerging economies, Asia also represents many of our closest trading partners. The government has invested significant time and resources into strengthening our relations with the region, paving the way for expanded relations at both a national and personal level.

Yet still New Zealand remains an anomaly compared with our peers in Asia and Europe when it comes not only to uptake, but the offering of foreign language courses. Whilst in these regions multilingualism is expected and taught from an elementary level onwards, the option to learn even a single foreign language is unavailable to a significant portion of school students due to a lack of funding.

From the outside looking in, there seems to be a serious disconnect between educations providers and students at all levels. We have the Prime Minister at one level touting the benefits of learning Mandarin Chinese, yet a lack of funding prohibits it being taught in the majority of our classrooms. We have tertiary students crying out for language immersion and education, yet when the University of Auckland helps host Indonesian language courses, less than 15 people turn up because none of the students know about it.

If New Zealand wants to remain competitive and continue to produce leaders that thrive in a global environment, foreign language studies are imperative. The message from the top is clear, the demand is there, but in the absence of action, our next generation is doomed to repeat the misgivings of the current.

• Alexander Speirs is a Commerce and Arts student at the University of Auckland and business intern at newzealandinc.com