Increased Opportunities for Young Australians to Learn Indonesian

The Australian Government has announced a $62.4 million dollar funding increase for its Asian languages program, which includes Indonesian, providing greater opportunities for Australian school students to understand and engage with the region.

From January 2009, the new National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools program will support additional Asian languages classes in high schools, teacher training and support, and specialist curricula for students who display advanced abilities in Asian languages and studies.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, warmly welcomed the new program and said it would allow more young Australians to learn about Indonesia, its language, peoples and culture, and play an important role in enhancing people-to-people links.

“The Australian Government recognises that one of the most important ways in which relationships in the region can be strengthened is by providing the best opportunity for young Australians to become familiar with the languages and cultures of Indonesia and other key Asian neighbours,” Mr Farmer said.

The additional funding, to be provided over three years, was announced in the Federal Budget last month.

Indonesian has been taught at schools and universities in Australia for many years.

Earlier this year, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda visited a high school in Perth where he had a conversation in Bahasa Indonesia with Australian year 10 students learning Indonesian.

Media Enquiries:
Jenny Dee, Counsellor (Public Affairs) tel. (021) 2550 5290 mob. 0811 187 3175