Modern Greek enrolments in NSW public schools are rising at beginner level but continue to fall sharply in senior years, highlighting wider concerns about language retention across the state.
NSW data shows just 6 per cent of HSC students studied a language last year, down from 12 per cent in 2004, while primary school language participation has also declined from 80,000 students in 2016 to 70,000 in 2024.
For Modern Greek, beginner enrolments increased from 25 to 44 students (up 76 per cent) between 2015 to 2025, but continuers fell from 47 to 18 (down 62 per cent), reflecting the broader pattern of students not progressing beyond early stages.
University of Sydney languages professor Ken Cruickshank told The Sydney Morning Herald that schools lack both “continuity” and a “critical mass” needed to sustain language programs.
Staffing shortages and small class sizes are also forcing some schools to limit or drop continuers’ courses, while incentives of up to $20,000 have been used in some cases to attract language teachers.
Dr Anna Formosa, head of languages at Santa Sabina College, said teachers often feel unsupported and are pressured to simplify content.
“They have to make Italian all about ice-cream,” she said, adding that students often lose interest in senior years when languages are not treated as academically serious subjects.
She said concerns about ATAR scaling also discourage students from continuing languages into Years 11 and 12.
While some schools report strong uptake in beginner classes, educators say sustaining long-term participation remains the key challenge.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
