Despite a steady decline in foreign language learning among Queensland students, a select group of schools are reigniting interest in languages, with programs that offer students the chance to immerse themselves in different cultures and perspectives.
In the 1960s, almost 40% of Australian students studied a second language, often French, Latin, or German. Today, that number has dropped dramatically, with less than 6% of Queensland’s Year 12 students learning a language. Many attribute the decrease to universities removing language requirements and ATAR scaling concerns, with subjects like Chinese seeing steep declines in enrollment.
Yet, some Queensland schools are bucking the trend. Indooroopilly State High School, for example, offers a Spanish immersion program that has become highly popular, especially from Years 7 to 9. The program has grown to include the largest single-language class in Brisbane, with 72 students studying Spanish in Year 12 this year. Recent graduate Kitty Stoneley, now a University of Queensland (UQ) student, credits her language studies for shaping her career aspirations. “I’m really grateful I did it because it has opened up so many doors for me at university,” she said, adding that her goal is to work in international relations.
Queensland’s selective-entry academies also prioritize language learning, with compulsory language study built into their International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. For student Alex Holdcroft, the language requirement initially seemed like an obstacle, preventing her from taking all the STEM subjects she had planned. But after replacing physics with Spanish, Holdcroft says it added cultural depth to her studies, while also enhancing her ability to notice patterns, a skill beneficial to her current studies in engineering and mathematics at UQ.
This renewed commitment to languages isn’t limited to just a few schools. Mansfield State High and Kenmore State High boast the largest Year 12 French and German classes, respectively. Brisbane State High stands out for offering the widest range of language courses, with students learning Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. Private schools, too, are joining the movement, with Brisbane Girls Grammar School leading in the number of Year 12 students studying languages.
Educators and experts argue that learning a language provides students with more than just conversational skills. Dr. Danielle H. Heinrichs, a multilingualism lecturer at Griffith University, emphasizes that the cognitive and career benefits of language study are invaluable. “Learning a language builds empathy, intercultural awareness, and skills that are difficult for technology to replicate,” she said. Heinrichs encourages students to consider language learning for the lifelong advantages it brings.
Queensland’s language programs reveal a bright spot in the state’s education landscape, showing that, even amid national declines, the value of multilingualism is recognized and celebrated. Schools are working alongside students and educators to keep these programs alive, paving the way for a new generation of culturally aware, globally minded Queenslanders.
