The New Zealand Herald – Staff Writer
“Eight years ago, a new primary and secondary school curriculum spoke glowingly of the benefits of knowing another language. In that, it was absolutely correct. Yet the same document did not go so far as to offer much of an incentive for pupils to take that step. Instead, it emphasised flexibility and encouraged schools to reflect the nature of their communities. The latter prompted the introduction of Pacific languages in some schools. Overall, however, its impact has been far more problematic. The percentage of children learning a second language in our secondary schools has dropped to its lowest in more than 80 years. In 2014, it encompassed just 20.3 per cent of pupils. At a peak in 1963, that figure was close to 40 per cent. Alarmingly, the downward trend has been particularly evident since 2008, when one in four studied an additional language. The new curriculum could be but one of a number of factors. Historically, New Zealanders have seldom felt the need for a second language, given that English is universally spoken and regarded as the international language. Over the past few years, its prevalence on the internet has probably underlined that sentiment.”(more)