Page 181 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 2008
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understanding. There is nothing there about language learning. I think that is an oversight, and I hope that these documents can be revised because everything I have heard today indicates a greater commitment to excellence in language teaching and learning than is outlined in these documents. Because these documents can be used as a framework—and they are a framework—it would be very disappointing if they actually limit the amount of language teaching that goes on in the ACT.
It is time to close this debate. I thank members for their participation and I also thank all the teachers in our schools who are working at this coalface of language. I know it is not an easy job at all. Teaching is not an easy job, but language teaching can be harder than, say, teaching woodwork and, unfortunately, not every student is motivated to learn.
I think what we need to be doing while we are increasing the resources in the schools is that we need to be increasing the community attitudes that make learning languages a more valuable thing. At the moment it is all about computers, economics—I am not sure quite what the fashionable things are—but languages are really important and we can help build that awareness.
Amendment agreed to.
Motion, as amended, agreed to.
Violence at Canberra nightspots
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (4.00): I move:
That this Assembly:
(1) notes:
(a) the serious concerns raised in recent weeks over violence at Canberra nightspots;
(b) the need to respond to the issue with lasting and sensible solutions; and
(c) the positive input of community representatives in contributing to the Opposition’s community roundtable on Friday, 1 February; and
(2) calls on the ACT Government to:
(a) take note of the outcomes of the community roundtable; and
(b) work with the Opposition in coming up with the positive solutions to problems at Canberra nightclubs.
Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, this issue in relation to concerns that have been raised in recent weeks over violence at our nightspots is an issue that is of real community concern; it is an issue that will not go away; and it is an issue that the opposition has sought to respond to in a constructive and positive way. And my motion goes to some of the discussions we have been having in recent times on this issue, in particular at
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