16 September 2009

New programs at The University of Queensland will provide more opportunities for students to study languages and add an international focus to their degrees.

From 2010, students are able to undertake a Diploma in Languages concurrently with their chosen undergraduate degree, gaining international skills toward future career opportunities.

Languages available are: Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish.
UQ Engineering and Arts (French and German majors) student Sam Marcel recently completed a two-year exchange at a French engineering school in Paris after choosing French subjects as part of his dual degree.

“Studying a language is a good eye-opener on other cultures, and being able to speak another language is useful no matter what your field of study,” Mr Marcel said.

For UQ student Annie Pohlman, studying Indonesian expanded her work options and interests.

After having the opportunity to live, study and work in Indonesia, Ms Pohlman now holds a postdoctoral position as Program Leader at UQ’s Asia-Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect and is completing her PhD.

“Indonesian studies offer great opportunities for those interested in fields such as law, commerce, international relations, human rights, ecology and biodiversity,” Ms Pohlman said.

“Indonesia’s size and geo-strategic position makes the country a vital member of the Asia-Pacific region.
Indonesian studies are important and aid in building and maintaining a strong relationship with the country in all its dimensions: political, cultural, strategic and economic,” she said.

“Having language skills is a great asset to anyone but the language program at UQ also allowed me to develop specialist expertise of the country’s society and culture.”

A new Bachelor of International Studies will also be available in 2010. The three year (full-time equivalent) program offers a grounding in the cultural and communicative aspects of globalisation and world affairs.

Students in the Bachelor of International Studies also complete a major in a language other than English and the program includes one semester of study overseas.

Both programs are available through UQ’s Faculty of Arts with language majors completed through the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies.

The University has also introduced the national Bonus Ranks Scheme for Year 12 language students, allowing them to improve their entry rank scores for entry into their chosen degree.

For more information, contact the School on (07) 3365 6311 / 3365 2013 or go to: www.slccs.uq.edu.au.

Media: For more information, contact the School of Languages and
Comparative Cultural Studies on (07) 3365 6311 / 3365 2013; email: slccs@uq.edu.au.