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The current state of modern language education in Australian public universities.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The current state of modern language education in Australian public universities.
Authors: Charles, Michael B1 (AUTHOR) michael.charles@scu.edu.au, Harmes, Marcus2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Arts & Humanities in Higher Education. Oct2025, Vol. 24 Issue 4, p370-392. 23p.
Subject Terms: *Foreign language education, *Content analysis, *Postsecondary education, *Linguistics education, *Humanities education, Institutional isomorphism, National interest
Geographic Terms: Australia
Abstract: Studying modern languages has been part of Australian tertiary education from close to its beginning. This study, which uses an online content analysis approach, analyses current units of study in each Australian public university teaching modern languages. Set in the context of the origin and development of this field, together with contemporary debates regarding the value of studying the humanities in general, and modern languages more specifically, this research offers detailed analysis of what is currently being taught, and how public universities are framing the merit and utility of teaching modern languages. Our analysis reveals that the study of modern languages remains relatively vigorous, but there is a high degree of institutional isomorphism at play. The findings show that many universities offer very similar fields of study across the board, albeit with some surprising omissions of languages that are of strategic significance to Australia's national interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Education Research Complete
Description
Abstract:Studying modern languages has been part of Australian tertiary education from close to its beginning. This study, which uses an online content analysis approach, analyses current units of study in each Australian public university teaching modern languages. Set in the context of the origin and development of this field, together with contemporary debates regarding the value of studying the humanities in general, and modern languages more specifically, this research offers detailed analysis of what is currently being taught, and how public universities are framing the merit and utility of teaching modern languages. Our analysis reveals that the study of modern languages remains relatively vigorous, but there is a high degree of institutional isomorphism at play. The findings show that many universities offer very similar fields of study across the board, albeit with some surprising omissions of languages that are of strategic significance to Australia's national interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:14740222
DOI:10.1177/14740222251341412