Learning a foreign language will become compulsory in Queensland schools once again after the government re-stated their position on Languages Other Than English (LOTE).
Queensland newspaper The Courier-Mail revealed that the Queensland Department of Education and Training “had quietly allowed principals to opt out of teaching LOTE in Years 6, 7 and 8 – the years it used to be compulsory”.
“It is not in accordance with our commitment to providing all students with a world-class education – of which LOTE is a very important part – and this optional approach will not continue,” said acting Queensland Minister for Education Stephen Robertson. “The delivery of LOTE across all Queensland government schools will be urgently reviewed.”
According to The Courier-Mail, which quoted Education assistant-director general Yvana Jones, the optional approach came about “because a one-size-fits-all approach didn’t work in state schools, with research showing children were disengaging from LOTE and resources could be better targeted”.
