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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
Language: English
Authors: Michael B. Charles (ORCID 0000-0002-2621-2656), Marcus Harmes
Source: Arts and Humanities in Higher Education: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice. 2025 24(4):370-392.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Public Colleges, Second Language Instruction, Bachelors Degrees, Majors (Students), College Second Language Programs, Modern Language Curriculum
Geographic Terms: Australia
DOI: 10.1177/14740222251341412
ISSN: 1474-0222
1741-265X
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.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1483814
Database: ERIC
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  Data: The Current State of Modern Language Education in Australian Public Universities
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Michael+B%2E+Charles%22">Michael B. Charles</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2621-2656">0000-0002-2621-2656</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Marcus+Harmes%22">Marcus Harmes</searchLink>
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: 23
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Public+Colleges%22">Public Colleges</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Instruction%22">Second Language Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bachelors+Degrees%22">Bachelors Degrees</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Majors+%28Students%29%22">Majors (Students)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Second+Language+Programs%22">College Second Language Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Modern+Language+Curriculum%22">Modern Language Curriculum</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Australia%22">Australia</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/14740222251341412
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  Data: 1474-0222<br />1741-265X
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: 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.
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        PageCount: 23
        StartPage: 370
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Public Colleges
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Bachelors Degrees
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Majors (Students)
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      – SubjectFull: College Second Language Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Modern Language Curriculum
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      – SubjectFull: Australia
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      – TitleFull: The Current State of Modern Language Education in Australian Public Universities
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