Australia stands at a linguistic crossroads. Despite being one of the world’s most multicultural nations, we’re witnessing a troubling decline in language learning Australia-wide that threatens our economic future, cultural identity, and global standing. When a 2021 census revealed only 8.6 per cent of Year 12 students were enrolled in language studies—a historical low—education experts sounded the alarm. This steady decline in language learning across Australian schools and universities isn’t just an educational issue; it’s a national challenge with far-reaching implications.
The Alarming Decline in Language Learning Australia Is Experiencing
The numbers tell a sobering story. Between 2010 and 2021, language enrollment among Year 12 students dropped by a staggering 23 per cent. This decline in language learning Australia has experienced isn’t limited to secondary education. Universities across the country are cutting language programs due to dwindling student interest and financial constraints.
At Macquarie University, a recent proposal to cut five European languages—Croatian, Italian, German, Modern Greek, and Russian—sparked student protests and highlighted the broader national trend. If implemented, the university would only continue offering Chinese, Japanese, French and Spanish, significantly narrowing students’ language options.
“When we talk about language learning we often think about this mythical mono-language speaker of English who can’t be bothered to learn other languages. But it’s not the right way of thinking. Almost a quarter of our population already speaks those languages and probably wants to study them at a higher level.”
This decline stands in stark contrast to global trends. According to a 2020 OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report, students in Australia and New Zealand spent just 1.2 hours weekly in foreign-language classes compared to the OECD average of 3.6 hours.
Economic Consequences of Australia’s Language Deficit
The economic implications of this decline in language learning Australia faces are significant. In our increasingly globalized economy, language skills are vital for international trade, diplomacy, and business relationships.
Australia’s two-way trade and investment was worth $763 billion in 2017, with our top trading partners primarily in North Asia and growing relationships throughout Southeast Asia. Yet, according to Diversity Council Australia’s 2015 report, only 5.1 per cent of the Australian workforce is fluent in one or more Asian languages.
Several businesses have argued that an inability to trade in languages other than English is damaging Australia’s export performance. The largest language deficits are for the fastest developing markets—precisely where Australia needs to strengthen economic ties.
Professor Ludmila Stern from UNSW’s School of Humanities and Languages points out that language cuts create additional shortages of qualified interpreters for essential services like courts and medical settings, where poor interpretation can have serious consequences.
Cultural and Social Implications
Beyond economics, the decline in language learning Australia is experiencing threatens our cultural fabric. For multicultural communities, language is a vital connection to heritage and identity.
Kathryn Sabljak, a Croatian language student at Macquarie University, expressed this concern: “I have a lot of younger cousins who have not necessarily grown up with the ability to speak Croatian. Now they are in their early 20s and are keen on learning the language. I think when you start extinguishing languages, you sort of start losing identity.”
Professor Piller warns that “Australia, in this context, becomes a graveyard of languages,” where second-generation migrants who learned their parents’ language at home haven’t developed it to a sufficient level at school.
This cultural disconnection has broader social implications. Languages foster understanding between communities and strengthen social cohesion in our multicultural society. When we lose language diversity, we risk losing the rich cultural perspectives that make Australia unique.
Belle Kwan, a Melbourne resident born in Hong Kong, explains how her fiancé’s decision to learn Mandarin gave him deeper cultural understanding: “It feels like home when you speak your home language—there’s something quite intimate about it.” This cultural connection extends beyond personal relationships to community bonds.
Cognitive Benefits Lost
The decline in language learning Australia is experiencing also means fewer students benefit from the cognitive advantages of bilingualism. Research consistently shows that learning additional languages improves:
- Problem-solving abilities
- Critical thinking skills
- Memory and attention span
- Cognitive flexibility
- Protection against cognitive decline in later life
Sarah Richardson, executive director of the Asia Education Foundation at the University of Melbourne, emphasizes that “language learning is both an intellectual pursuit that is beneficial for brain development and also a window into another culture.”
These cognitive benefits extend beyond the classroom, contributing to a more adaptable and innovative workforce—precisely what Australia needs to remain competitive in the global knowledge economy.
Geopolitical Disadvantages in a Multilingual World
The decline in language learning Australia faces creates strategic vulnerabilities in our region. As outlined in the 2016 Defence White Paper, Australia needs to recalibrate its strategic agenda due to the dramatically changed global environment.
Professor Stern described Macquarie University’s plan to cut Russian as “absolutely shocking,” noting: “It’s such an important language, strategically and geo-politically.” Similarly, a student named Zac emphasized that “Russian is obviously a strategically significant language… In the current global context, the world needs more cultural understanding, certainly not less.”
“Can Australia remain competitive and influential in an increasingly networked world, if we do not speak the languages of our neighbours?”
This question becomes increasingly relevant as Australia invests in defence partnerships with countries like Japan, Indonesia, India, Singapore, South Korea, and China. The Defence White Paper explicitly acknowledges language competence as an important skill set for security operations.
Unlike countries such as Finland, where students must learn their national language and at least one additional language to graduate high school, Australia’s approach to language education remains fragmented and optional.
How Australia Compares Globally
The decline in language learning Australia is experiencing puts us at a disadvantage compared to other developed nations. In the European Union, most countries require students to learn at least two foreign languages during their compulsory education.
| Country | Languages Required | Starting Age | Hours Per Week | Year 12 Language Enrollment |
| Australia | Optional (varies by state) | Varies (often Year 7) | 1.2 | 8.6% |
| Finland | Minimum 2 | 7 | 4-6 | ~100% |
| Singapore | Minimum 2 | 7 | 3-5 | ~95% |
| Canada | 2 (English/French) | 5-6 | 3-5 | ~70% |
Singapore, with its bilingual education policy, ensures students develop proficiency in English and their mother tongue (Chinese, Malay, or Tamil). This approach has created a multilingual workforce that attracts international business and strengthens Singapore’s position as a global hub.
Canada’s commitment to bilingualism (English and French) has strengthened national unity and created economic opportunities. The Canadian model demonstrates how language policy can support both cultural identity and economic goals.
Is Technology Replacing Language Learning?
Some argue that translation technology makes language learning unnecessary. However, experts strongly disagree with this assessment.
Professor Stern’s response is clear: “No and no. AI is just a tool; automated translators make mistakes and cannot replace a human translator.”
Professor Piller adds: “Language technologies are far from replacing human language skills and will not do so in the foreseeable future because machine language learning and human language learning differ fundamentally.”
Technology cannot capture cultural nuances, idioms, or context-specific meanings that human language users understand intuitively. The decline in language learning Australia is experiencing cannot be offset by technological solutions alone.
Success Stories: Reversing the Trend
Despite the overall decline in language learning Australia is experiencing, some schools and communities are successfully bucking the trend.
Case Study: Sydney Chinese School
The Sydney Chinese School has adapted to changing demands while preserving language education. Principal Meggy Sin notes that while the school initially taught only Cantonese 50 years ago, it now offers both Cantonese and Mandarin, with 60 per cent of students learning Mandarin.
The school creates a cultural connection point for second and third-generation Chinese Australians. As parent Josephine Chau explains, attending the school has enabled her daughter to “make friends with other children who, like her, are second or third-generation Chinese or of mixed heritage.”
Case Study: University of Sydney
While many universities are cutting language programs, the University of Sydney continues to offer 11 modern language majors and 11 short language courses. A university spokesperson emphasized their commitment: “We haven’t discontinued any over the past decade and have no plans to do so; we remain committed to continuing our diverse range of language studies.”
This commitment is supported by donations and cross-subsidisation, demonstrating how institutional priorities can preserve language education despite financial pressures.
Case Study: Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA)
The federal government’s Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) program introduces young children to 13 languages through interactive play-based digital applications. This innovative approach engages children early, potentially sparking lifelong interest in languages.
By making language learning fun and accessible from an early age, ELLA demonstrates how technology can support rather than replace human language learning.
Government Policy and Institutional Barriers
The decline in language learning Australia is experiencing reflects policy shortcomings at multiple levels. While the National Curriculum includes languages as one of eight key learning areas, implementation varies widely across states and territories.
In several states, foreign languages are compulsory only in years 7 and 8, and students may explore four different languages without developing proficiency in any. This approach contrasts sharply with countries like Finland, where language education is sequential and comprehensive.
Universities often create additional barriers. Professor John Hajek from the University of Melbourne notes that universities often hinder students from studying languages by imposing strict restrictions on the number of subjects that can be part of their degree.
“At one university I know of, students can only take one external subject other than faculty subjects. That means a student could potentially only do one semester of language study.”
Andrew Scrimgeour, an expert in language teaching at the University of South Australia, points out that the focus on economic utility has narrowed language offerings: “With the focus on Year 12 on careers and academic pathways, the languages that have been prioritised are those languages of economic importance and not languages of social importance.”
This approach fails to recognize the broader social and cultural value of language diversity. As Scrimgeour notes, “A multicultural country like Australia should be doing more to both acknowledge, recognise and understand the languages that other people speak.”
Reversing the Decline: Actionable Solutions
Addressing the decline in language learning Australia is experiencing requires coordinated action from various stakeholders. Here are practical solutions for different groups:
For Parents
- Advocate for language programs in your child’s school
- Explore community language schools and after-school programs
- Create language-rich environments at home through books, media, and cultural activities
- Consider language continuity when choosing schools—check which languages are offered from primary through secondary levels
- Connect with other families interested in language learning to share resources and create practice opportunities
For Educators and Schools
- Reimagine language education to focus on cultural understanding and communication rather than just academic achievement
- Develop sequential language programs that build proficiency over time
- Integrate language learning with other subjects to demonstrate real-world relevance
- Leverage technology as a supplement to, not replacement for, human language teaching
- Create partnerships with community organizations and cultural institutions to enrich language learning
For Policymakers
- Develop a national language strategy that aligns education with Australia’s international engagement goals
- Consider making language learning compulsory for longer periods in school
- Increase funding for language teacher training and resources
- Create incentives for universities to maintain diverse language offerings
- Recognize and support community language schools as vital educational partners
Take Action for Language Learning
What happens when a nation loses its linguistic toolkit? We lose economic opportunities, cultural connections, and our place in the global conversation. The decline in language learning Australia is experiencing isn’t inevitable—it’s a challenge we can address together.
Conclusion: A Multilingual Future for Australia
The decline in language learning Australia has experienced over recent decades represents a significant national challenge with far-reaching implications. From economic competitiveness and cultural identity to cognitive development and geopolitical influence, language skills touch every aspect of our national life.
As Professor Felicity Meakins of the University of Queensland reminds us, “Connecting with language and other parts of your culture really does strengthen a person’s identity.” This connection extends beyond individuals to strengthen our communities and nation.
By recognizing language learning as a national priority rather than an optional extra, we can begin to reverse this troubling trend. The successful examples highlighted in this article demonstrate that with commitment and innovation, language education can thrive in Australian schools and universities.
What kind of Australia do we want to build for the future? One that engages confidently with the world in all its linguistic diversity, or one that retreats into monolingual isolation? The choice—and the responsibility—belongs to all of us.
