Did you know?
The longest officially recognised place name in an English-speaking country is Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapok
aiwhenuakitanatahu (85 letters), which is a hill in New Zealand. The name is in the MÄ?ori language.
Notable quote
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart. - Nelson Mandela
A laugh a day
Spotlight
The Case for Engagement with Asia
On 29 September, 2017 in Sydney, Shadow Treasurer The Hon Chris Bowen MP delivered a major address to Asia Society Australia in which he made a comprehensive case for re-energising and upgrading Australia's engagement with Asia.
Events
An exhibition from the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka, Chinese Fortunes explores the motivation, spirit, hardships and legacies of the Chinese miners through a historical timeline of key events, storytelling, artefacts and objects.
The exhibition will shine a light on the little known aspects of the Chinese diaspora during the high colonial period, providing a fresh view of the Chinese as pioneers and trailblazers of the Australian goldfields.
Education Matters
Why students are turning away from learning foreign languages
Foreign language learning in Australia is in serious decline, as we are well into the second decade of the so-called Asian Century.
About 40 per cent of students studied a foreign language in the 1960s. That number is now closer to 10 per cent, including students who are native speakers of a language other than English.
Language Matters
The joys and benefits of bilingualism
More than half the world’s population is now bilingual. Now thought to encourage flexibility of mind and empathy, bilingualism is also transforming societies.
Project Extend is a new BEFA initiative aimed at giving interested students a genuine opportunity to learn a second language.
Project Extend 2017 - Term 4
Project Extend 2017 - Term 3
