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Melbourne Asia Review is an initiative of the Asia Institute. Any inquiries about Melbourne Asia Review should be directed to the Managing Editor, Cathy Harper.

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WEBINAR: How learning Asian languages changes your worldview

Panellists discuss gaining new levels of personal inter-connectedness and cultural understanding through language learning.

INTRODUCTION – Changing one’s world view: the potentially transformative power of Asian language(s) and culture(s)

  • Dr Jun Ohashi,

Learning an Asian language can serve as a bulwark against rising nationalism and xenophobia.

Fitting in at last? Learners of Japanese as community language in search of belonging and legitimacy

  • Dr Kaya Oriyama & Dr Naomi Kurata,

JCL learners need to be recognised not as problems but assets with the potential to become a bridge between Japan and Australia.

What motivates Japanese language learners in Australia and beyond?

  • Hiroko Ohashi & Dr Jun Ohashi,

The common promotional discourses of ‘employability’ and ‘international trade’ related to Japanese language learning do not reflect learners’ motivations.

Learning Asian languages is about much more than trade and employability and universities should convey this

  • Dr Jun Ohashi & Hiroko Ohashi,

Australian universities should play an important role in articulating the educational value of foreign language learning beyond the ‘employability’ discourse.