A group of senior politicians has acknowledged that Australian society has now changed dramatically, and that language was a key driver of that change.
Speaking at the annual dinner of the Federation of Community Language Schools, the Federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare said: “Today one in two of us have parents who were born overseas and one in two of us speaks a language other than English at home.”
“Because of Community Language schools we are now not just a multicultural nation in name but one where language is kept and passed on from generation to generation,” Mr Clare added.
The Minister for Home Affairs, the Arts, Cyber Security, Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Tony Burke told the teachers: “What you do is fundamental. This is modern Australia. What you do is simply good for your children, your community. It benefits Australia, makes us stronger and gives a bridge into the future.”
In a written message to the dinner, Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said: “Your teachers are keeping language and cultures alive right across NSW. Teaching language to children is a vital part of our identity. Australia is a vibrant and diverse nation and teaching language is a vital part of maintaining our cultural identity.”
The NSW Premier, Chris Minns, in a video message to the teachers said: “Thank you for connecting culture and language. It is an amazing gift you are giving to the next generation. It teaches us new ways of looking at the world while sharpening our minds at the same time.”
Speaking to the more than 500 teachers at the dinner, the NSW Opposition Leader, Mark Speakman echoed the same sentiments: “You can never underestimate the importance of language education to children in this state where something like half our households speak a language other than English at home.”
“Community language schools help young children maintain their connection with their heritage and ensure that children grow up not only with the language of their ancestors, but also in the values and the traditions of their heritage,” Mr Speakman added.
Mr Speakman concluded by expressing the hope that community language teaching would contribute to making “our great multicultural nation the best on the planet.”
The Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Emergency Services, and the Youth, Jihad Dib, told the teachers: “Our diversity is our strength, that our multiculturalism is now born in Australia. The languages we speak, and our heritage make us better as a country. The sixty languages we teach and the 30,000 kids we teach not only strengthens us as a country, but makes us better.”
The President of the Federation of Community Language Schools, Lucia Johns told the gathering: “Community language schools are not just places where students learn a language; they are a place for cultural exchange, where the heritage of various communities is preserved and passed on to future generations. Our schools provide students with the opportunity to connect with their roots, to celebrate their traditions, and to embrace the diverse tapestry that makes Australia unique.”
“The teachers at these community language schools play a central role in this process. Hundreds of teachers, often volunteers, dedicate their time, energy, and expertise to help students learn and grow in both language proficiency and cultural understanding. These educators are not just teaching grammar and vocabulary, they are fostering a sense of pride in students’ cultural identities and empowering them to bridge the gap between their heritage and the broader Australian society,” she added.
