New short courses for travellers offered at UQ

Table manners and greeting etiquette are just some of the cultural protocols to be taught in UQ’s Institute of Modern Languages’ (IML) new short courses for travellers.

Many of the eight-week courses will begin on October 9 to prepare travellers for holidays at the end of the year.

IML Director Georgiana Poulter said there were many advantages in undertaking a language course before travelling.

“People tend to be more respected and have a more enjoyable time if they understand a little of the language and the culture of the country they are visiting,” she said.

The courses are designed to develop basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through a combination of textbooks, tapes, group conversation and personal interaction. Students would also be made aware of any important cultural protocols.

Ms Poulter said Chinese people, for example, were good hosts and prided themselves in looking after their guests. If visitors helped themselves at the table it could indicate that hosts were not doing their job properly.

And in Japan, rather than shaking hands, people bow to each other when they meet for the first time, when they meet someone they know, and when they say goodbye, she said.

IML are offering short courses in Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Italian, Japanese and Spanish and prices start at $95. Most classes last for about two hours and are held weekly in the evening.

There are no formal entry requirements and previous students have ranged in age from 20 to 78.

For further information and bookings telephone IML on 3365 6490 or visit their website at www.iml.uq.edu.au.

Media: For more information contact Ms Georgiana Poulter telephone 3365 6487, email g.poulter@uq.edu.au or Lynda Flower at UQ Communications telephone 3365 2339.