13 November 2009

Learning a foreign language is very important, according to the newly-appointed Australian Ambassador to Germany (and UQ alumnus) Peter Tesch.

Mr Tesch completed his undergraduate degree at UQ in 1986, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with majors in German and Russian, and said language skills are important to any chosen career.

“It has been remarkable the number of times in my career that being able to use a foreign language has been useful, even in the course of work that may not apparently seem in obvious need of a language,” Mr Tesch said.

“It is very clear that if you want to be as effective as you can, as an advocate of Australia’s interests, relying on everyone else to engage in your mother tongue really isn’t good enough,” he said.

“When I worked for the World Expo in Germany in Hannover in 2000, it was invaluable to be able to speak the language, both in negotiating arrangements for our participation and in promoting Australia’s interests during the six months of the expo.

“Important nuances can be lost in translation and it is important for relationships to communicate in the language of the host country. It gives you an immediate connection you otherwise don’t have.”

Mr Tesch chose to study German and Russian because of a passion for languages and for career progression.

“I started Russian in my first year at university, just to see what it was like, and after first semester, I was absolutely hooked,” Mr Tesch said.

“I loved languages but also needed to find some way of making a living where I could use the skill I enjoyed so much. Government was an obvious avenue open to me and so I applied for trade, foreign affairs and defence.

“Language skills are of obvious relevance and importance to a career in foreign affairs. The department will provide language training where this is considered essential in overseas assignments. But when I chaired the graduate trainee selection committee in 2006 and 2007, I was struck by how prevalent language skills were amongst the applicants – everyone had proficiency in one and sometimes more languages.

“It has been good that I have been able to use both my languages professionally, Russian on my first posting in Moscow and then again in Kazakhstan; and German for the World Expo in Hannover and now in my new posting,” Mr Tesch said.

Mr Tesch moves into the Ambassadorial position after roles as Commissioner-General for Australia and Executive Director, Shanghai World Expo 2010.

He has also held senior executive positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and was Deputy Permanent Representative, Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

Mr Tesch was the Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan from 1997 to 1999 and Third Secretary, Australian Embassy, Moscow from 1989 to 1991.

Media: For more information, contact UQ's School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies on 07 3365 6311.