$15 MILLION INVESTMENT IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION FOR AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE
THE HON ANDREW GILES MP
MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
MEDIA RELEASE
28 August 2023
The Albanese Labor Government is investing $15 million over two years to support kids wanting to learn a language other than English, today announcing the delivery of its election commitment to establish a new Community Language Schools grant program.
Grants of up to $30,000 over two years will be available to eligible community language schools, enabling them to expand classes to pre-school aged children, purchase new resources, build quality learning environments, cover costs such as rent or teacher training, or provide fee-relief for disadvantaged students.
In Perth today for the announcement, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs will visit one of Western Australia’s 59 community language schools and meet with teachers and students at the Italo-Australian Welfare & Cultural Centre.
Community language schools play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage and fostering a bond between young learners and the languages spoken by their parents or grandparents. With a history dating back to 1857, there are now more than 700 language schools operating across Australia, teaching over 100,000 students in over 85 languages.
From Friday 1 September, further information about the program, and an easy to complete application form will go live on GrantConnect, the Government’s grant information system, www.grants.gov.au. Applications for the Community Language Schools Grant will be open from 1 September to 9 October 2023.
Attributable to Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles:
“Languages help connect Australians to each other, and to the world. The Albanese Labor Government is committed to strengthening our social connections and facilitating the exchange of cultures by making it easier to learn a second language.
“This important announcement will ensure that as our diverse community grows, our youngest multicultural Australians will be supported to learn the language and culture of their parents and grandparents.
“The younger someone starts learning another language, the easier it will be for them to pick it up, so we’ve included funding to support classes for pre-school aged children. It’s an investment in their future, in Australia’s future as a proudly multicultural society”.
Attributable to Executive Director of Community Languages Australia, Stefan Romaniw OAM:
“Community Languages Australia welcomes the announcement of this funding program supporting community language schools (CLS).
“CLS play a significant role in the delivery of language education programs nationally. This funding will be of great assistance to schools in covering operational costs.
“CLA looks forward to an ongoing strong relationship with Minister Giles and his Department”.
