The Institute of Modern Languages (IML) at UQ is celebrating its 75th anniversary and the education of thousands of students in a second language.
IML Director Georgiana Poulter said that over 75 years the IML had given "a significant number of people the opportunity to learn another language".
"We have given our multi-cultural community the chance for the younger members to connect with their heritage by learning the language their parents or grandparents speak," she said.
"The IML has also given Queenslanders the opportunity to work overseas, and allow people to learn the language before they go on an overseas holiday."
Now the IML is celebrating its birthday with record enrolments in their language courses for the first half of 2009, and an invitation-only event in June.
"As guests arrive, they will be greeted by a French piano accordionist and they will be able to request their favourite French tune," Ms Poulter said.
"Then the lion dance, which has been part of the Chinese culture for thousands years, will be performed on the steps of the Forgan-Smith building, and later there will be a performance by the Vida Latina Latin American dancers. We wanted to create a multicultural atmosphere,” Ms Poulter said.
The IML was first established in 1934, and was the only adult education unit in modern languages to be attached to an Australian tertiary education institution.
From its humble beginnings in 1934, offering 78 students four courses in three different languages - Italian, French and German - the IML has grown substantially.
Ms Poulter herself was a student of the IML at the age of 16, and still continues to enrol in language courses.
"I'm very passionate about language learning. Learning another language gives you an insider’s view of another culture and a new view of your own. If you’ve learned a second language, it can also give you a competitive advantage in finding employment," she said.
"We have courses in 25 languages, but we can also provide one-on-one personalised courses, or customised courses for groups, either at the IML or at their venue in a wide range of languages.
"For example, we taught Tetum to 200 soldiers from the Enoggera barracks before they went on the peacekeeping missions to East Timor, and we have also taught language to corporate groups such as Xstrata Copper.
"It’s a way for UQ to engage with the community."
In 2008, over 2970 students were enrolled in IML language courses studying 23 languages. In addition to this, the IML offers translation and interpreting services, with over 790 bookings for these services last year.
Ms Poulter said that when she became Director of the IML, the institute was "looking for new directions".
"We set up a translation and interpreting service which enables international students to get their documents such as driver's licences translated, domestic students to have their academic transcripts translated before they study overseas, and UQ staff to learn a language prior to international travel," she said.
"We also provide the interpreters for UQ's Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education for students from the Jikei group of colleges in Japan who come here for a week-long study trip."
To enrol in a language course, contact the IML directly, and for more information about the IML, their translation and interpreting services or language courses offered, visit their website at www.iml.uq.edu.au.
Media: Georgiana Poulter (07 3346 8201), or Amanda Sproule from UQ Communications (07 3365 2339).
