100 scholarships available for language learners these school holidays

And for 100 participants, the course will be free, thanks to a scholarship available for state school students who are keen to develop their language skills to benefit their future career.

Florence Boulard, JCU Lecturer and Academy of Modern Languages Director, says participating in immersion courses helps students both at school and in their communities.

“It’s not only a chance to enhance their foreign language competency,” she said. “It’ll also help to develop their leadership skills and increase their international mindedness.”

Year 11 student Xiandria Svane received a scholarship for the Academy’s Japanese immersion course in July. She said without the support of the scholarship, she wouldn’t have been able to attend the course, which will help her achieve her goal of becoming a translator.

“Doing the course allowed me to refine my communication skills and taught me new words and characters that I did not know,” she said. “As my Dad is retired and we are a low-income family, the scholarship made it possible for me to attend.”

Courses are offered in Chinese (Mandarin), French, Italian, Japanese and Spanish, and the scholarships are open to students enrolled in State High Schools.

• Townsville location: JCU Douglas campus
• Cairns location: JCU Smithfield campus
• Dates: 8 January to 12 January 2018
• Times: 9:30am to 1:30pm daily
• Cost: Free (with scholarship); $275 per person (without scholarship)

Applications close 10 December.

For more information about the course, the scholarships or to register online: https://alumni.jcu.edu.au/AMLHols or contact: AML admin (07) 4232 1207