Students shown how a second language can open up a world of opportunities

There are many different opportunities available to those who study a language

With the world becoming a smaller place and the need for cultural tolerance higher than ever, the opportunities available to young Australians who learn a second language have increased significantly.

For many high school students though these opportunities are often not explored upon completing their secondary education.

However a special information evening held at USQ this week detailed the career and study options available to students interested in languages.

Organised by the Modern Language Teachers Association of Queensland (MLTAQ) and USQ’s Faculty of Education, around 130 Toowoomba high school students took part in the event.

'The world really is much closer than we tend to believe,' Senior Lecturer in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Dr Ann Dashwood said.

'If you can travel and speak the language in the country you are in then it not only opens up career options for you but it can also open up another culture for you.'

A number of guest speakers were featured throughout the evening with both industry and USQ graduates on hand to discuss how their second language had helped them.

'We wanted to show the students that there is life after school with languages,' Dr Dashwood said.

'Russell Mineral, Trade Queensland and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) were here to discuss the opportunities open to those with a language in industry.

'I also recorded some interviews with USQ graduates that were played to the students such as Rebecca Von Hoff, whose German studies led her to a German Academic Exchange Service scholarship.

'A language really does make a difference on a CV.'

The success of the forum may lead to the initiative becoming an annual event.

'Hopefully the evening helped attract some budding language teachers and those interested in using a second language in their careers.'

Contact Details:
Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559 or 0400 025 429