B.C. schools must reflect our ties to Asia, report says

By Janet Steffenhagen. Teach B.C. kids an Asian language, it urges.
Canada must invest heavily in education and skills training relevant to Asia if it hopes to compete in the new global economy, says a report to be released today by the Asia-Pacific Foundation.
That includes matching Australia's promise that every student will have an opportunity to learn Asian languages in elementary and secondary schools, even if it means drawing resources from other foreign-language programs, says the report, based on a survey of 374 Canadians who are active in Asia through business, professional or personal interests.
These Asia experts indicated solid support - 91 per cent - for a greater emphasis on Asian language instruction in K-12 schools, although that view isn't shared by the general public, said foundation president Yuen Pau Woo. A public opinion poll conducted by the foundation earlier this year suggests that only one-in-four Canadians also want more emphasis on teaching Asian languages in schools. Read more...