Conference paper
Obstinate ignorance - The glad game and the blame game in languages education in Australia
Proceedings of the International Conference on Racisms in the New World Order, pp.194-203
International Conference on Racisms in the New World Order: Realities of Culture, Colour and Identity, 2005 (Coolum, Australia, 08-Dec-2005–09-Dec-2005)
University of the Sunshine Coast, Centre for Multicultural and Community Development
2006
Abstract
The last decade has seen a retreat in Australia's commitment to the study of other languages. Australian university students routinely study international business, politics, law, art and music without studying a related language. In Europe this would be unthinkable. Post-Hansen and post-Howard, in the midst of complex security concerns and debates, different others are most often represented as a threat. The Howard government abandoned the "Asia literacy" push and cut NALSAS funding. Failing to provide a model of positive engagement produces a trickle down effect on the media and the whole society. Languages teachers maintain that persistent study of other codes and modes of thought and living brings joy, fulfillment, useful knowledge, skills, self-awareness and being "other-interested" instead of purely self-interested. Obstinate ignorance is dangerous, an act of disrespect and passive racism.
Details
- Title
- Obstinate ignorance - The glad game and the blame game in languages education in Australia
- Authors
- Phillip Mahnken (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Contributors
- Narayan Gopalkrishnan (Editor)Hurriyet Babacan (Editor)
- Publication details
- Proceedings of the International Conference on Racisms in the New World Order, pp.194-203
- Conference details
- International Conference on Racisms in the New World Order: Realities of Culture, Colour and Identity, 2005 (Coolum, Australia, 08-Dec-2005–09-Dec-2005)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Centre for Multicultural and Community Development
- Date published
- 2006
- ISBN
- 0975191357
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2006 University of the Sunshine Coast, Centre for Multicultural and Community Development. Reproduced here with permission.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449594402621
- Output Type
- Conference paper
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