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Students who study a language other than English at high school will be given bonus Tertiary Entrance Aggregate (TEA) points under a new system being established at The University of Western Australia.

The University will introduce a 10 per cent TEA bonus for students studying Languages Other Than English (LOTE) in Year 12, effective from 2011 onwards, for admission to the University in 2012.

"Both UWA and the university Group of Eight of which it is a member have expressed concern about the decline of LOTE study across Australia at secondary level," UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said.

"Such a decline is lamentable in that students are not undertaking study in the foundations of language at this level, and in turn are then not equipped to undertake higher-level study of languages within the University.  This trend represents a disturbing loss to our State and nation."

To equip students as effective contributors to a rapidly globalising world, the University is developing a range of strategies to promote the skills, attitudes and abilities with which it believes students in the early 21st century should graduate.

UWA's proposed LOTE bonus was just one such strategy to encourage students to continue studying another language to the end of secondary school, Professor Robson said.

"We believe that such study is significant and should be recognised and rewarded even when students choose not to continue such study at tertiary level.  The bonus will apply to the results of all eligible UWA applicants, regardless of the degree course for which they apply."

Particulars of the bonus scheme were yet to be finalised and would be published formally in the TISC publication 2012 Admissions Requirements for School Leavers, available in April/May 2009.

Media references

Associate Professor Jane Long 61 8  6488 2077
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  61 8  6488 5563  /  0432 637 716