In a world of rapid change, learning another language is less about vocabulary lists and more about developing the kind of mind - and heart - that can navigate complexity and difference.

You may wonder, why bother when translation apps fit in your pocket? Because language learning reshapes how we think. Research links it to stronger attention, problem-solving, and cognitive flexibility - and even suggests it can help build “cognitive reserve,” delaying dementia symptoms later in life.

But the most immediate shift isn’t neurological - it’s human. Language learning teaches us to question assumptions, read context, and listen for what sits between the lines. These are the dispositions behind empathy and intercultural competence - skills employers and universities prize in a globalised world.

It’s also about belonging. In a country where more than 5.6 million people speak a language other than English at home, languages connect identity, family, and place. In classrooms, they’re never “just” a subject - they’re a way to practise perspective-taking. 

As Head of Modern Languages Sharon Cashen says, “Language learning is empathy in action.”

Languages at a glance

• ELC to Year 6: French
• Years 7-10: Choice of French, German, Japanese or Mandarin.
• Years 11-12: Spanish is offered exclusively through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or Career-Related Programme (CP). French, German, Japanese, and Mandarin are available to Year 11 and 12 students across both HSC and IB pathways.
• Beyond class: Cultural programs and global partnerships. 

Why it matters 

• Builds empathy and intercultural competence
• Strengthens memory and problem-solving
• Aligns with global-readiness skills
• Reflects Australia’s multilingual reality

What’s next

Expect more authentic use and global collaborations: visiting schools from China and Germany, and language trips to Japan, China and Europe.