Are we still turning Japanese? I don't think so.

The best performing Queensland private schools have been more responsive to Australia's changing relationship with Asia and adjusted their language programs accordingly. But most families stuck with limited school choice in the public system are offered a 1980s suite of language choices by Education Queensland.

This change needs to happen now. Even if Education Queensland provided the resources to rollout Chinese language study in 20 additional public schools per year, it would take a decade for Chinese to be available in half of Queensland public schools. By then, the Chinese economy and strategic influence will totally dominate Asia-Pacific affairs. Our relationship with China, whether ultimately a friend, foe or strategic competitor, is vital in any reasonably foreseeable future.

Mandarin, by most accounts, is not an easy language to learn. It is tonal and character-based, and less mature than English in terms of its development. But the level of difficulty of a language should not be confused with what is useful for Queensland students. That's why Japanese was rolled out in the 1980s despite the apprehension around whether Queensland kids could handle it.

Are we still turning Japanese? I don't think so.