WHY LEARNING MANDARIN AND OTHER LANGUAGES ARE IMPORTANT TO NEW ZEALAND  

China is the largest outbound international visitor market with more than 100 million per annum visiting a range of destinations around the world. Five years ago visitor numbers to New Zealand were 100,000 and they are now our number two international visitor at 320,000 per annum and growing at 30% year on end.

To deliver on our 100% Pure New Zealand experience, tour operators of all shapes, size and regional spread need to have more staff who understand Chinese customs, traditions and basics of the language.

In recent years to accommodate this need, migrant labour have being used as a short term fix. However the Government is clear that we must as an industry upskill more multi language employees into the industry and not rely on working holiday or other short term visa staffing options.

That being said, we need more New Zealand students to a) consider tourism and hospitality as a valued career option and b) encourage as many as possible to learn Mandarin.

However, the percentage of students learning a second language in New Zealand secondary schools has dropped to its lowest in over 80 years. Last year, just one in five students, or 20%, were enrolled to study a second language – compared to 40% in 1963 who studied two or more languages. Seven years ago there were 71,000 students learning a second language compared to 57,000 last year.

Figures soon to be released by the Ministry of Education show that there are more primary school students learning Mandarin than there are studying any other foreign language. But the pathway to secondary schools, and to University is weak. In 2014 there were 25,000 primary students studying Mandarin but only 4,200 at secondary school. This compares with 17,000 secondary students studying Japanese – with Japan our fifth largest market at 84,000 visitors.

The rise and rise of ‘information technology’ as a core curriculum subject and the lack of educational leadership in promoting languages as a core subject are two reasons for the decline at secondary level. Student choice is another barrier with learning other languages seen as ‘soft or isn’t going to take me anywhere’.

When looking at Asian and European countries, most students are coming out of school with a proficiency in at least two, possibly three or more languages. New Zealand does not have a national language policy and learning a language is not compulsory in New Zealand schools at any level. This is something the tourism and other export sectors should be promoting.

As the Chinese holiday visitor rate and general visitor visas (GVV) are increasing at a faster rate than the general visitor rate and ADS visa applications, this is indicative that Chinese visitors are growing in confidence and want to explore more of New Zealand.  Moteliers, hostels, sightseeing, local transport and activity/attraction operators, all need front line staff to do that warm welcome in Mandarin.  When we travel to China, we are apprehensive of not being able to speak the language and appreciate those Chinese who can speak a little English. Similarly when Chinese or other international visitors come in contact with New Zealanders who can speak a little of their own language, they too feel appreciated and comforted.

As we welcome more international visitors to New Zealand from Asia and South America, understanding the basics of their culture and language will add to our already ‘friendliest country in the world’ point of difference. Most people in the world can speak/understand one of three languages with these being Mandarin (1 billion speakers), Spanish (414 million) and English (335 million) so any staff who learn Mandarin and Spanish give New Zealand companies a huge advantage.

If you have the opportunity to promote learning of languages at your child’s primary or secondary school, please do so. Some of those who learn could potentially be your future employees.