<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-1687" src="http://schoolnewsnz.fastrackdev.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/SND18-wk2-Asian_languages.jpg" alt="SND18-wk2-Asian languages" style="margin: 5px; float: right;" width="300" height="192" />Twenty-two groups of schools have won funding to establish new Mandarin, Japanese or Korean programmes, or expand existing ones, Education Minister Hekia Parata announced yesterday. <!--more--> </p>
<p>The Government established the $10 million Asian Language Learning in Schools contestable fund last year to increase the provision of Asian languages in schools.</p>
<p>&#8220;The first funding round has generated real enthusiasm for Asian languages in classrooms,&#8221; says Ms Parata. &#8220;Twenty-two programmes involving 129 schools will receive a total of $3.3 million over the next three years.</p>
<p>&#8220;Many of the primary and secondary schools are working together to provide a pathway for students to keep developing language proficiency throughout their school life.</p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been impressed with the innovative ways that schools are sharing teaching skills and resources. Some groups are bringing students together over the internet, using virtual classrooms to overcome geographical barriers.</p>
<p>&#8220;There are cognitive and cultural benefits to learning a second language and Asian Language Learning in Schools is just one of several government initiatives that will encourage a multi-lingual New Zealand,&#8221; Ms Parata says.</p>
<p>&#8220;The programmes that won funding will begin next year. Eligibility for the second round of funding is being extended to include all Asian languages.&#8221;</p>
<p>Applications for the second round opened yesterday and schools have until September 25, 2015 to register their interest.</p></p>

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