By Kostas Mastorakis
The Malinauskas Labor Government has announced $4 million towards supporting South Australian community language schools if re-elected next year.
This four-year commitment will go towards supporting the growth and development of the state’s community language schools and grow a bilingual community in South Australia.
The South Australian Government will continue to work closely with Community Language Schools SA (CLSSA) to deliver the commitment.
Community language schools are after-hours language and culture schools open to all students, irrespective of their cultural and linguistic background. There are 93 active and fully accredited community language schools in South Australia, teaching 48 community languages. There are currently 9,085 students enrolled in the program this semester.
In 2022, the Malinauskas Labor government committed $4 million over 4 years to help multicultural communities keep their languages alive. It was the single largest funding announcement in Multicultural Affairs.
The continuation of this funding ensures that thousands of students will continue to receive high quality language education, preserving their own language and culture for the benefit of future generations.
The $4 million package will:
- Support the funding of host school premises, including funding for both government and non-government host schools;
- Support Community Language Learning Hubs, which provide education for 950 students learning 16 languages;
- Invest in community school leaders so they are supported to set up and sustain community language schools;
- Provide pathways for more senior secondary students to study a language at community language schools.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Zoe Bettison, said: “Multilingual young people are future leaders not just of their own communities, but of Australian businesses, governments and society.”
“As students, teachers, leaders and supporters of our community language schools, you know that language learning is not just about mastering vocabulary and grammar. It also fosters cultural awareness and empathy,” Ms Bettison added.
“I am confident our commitment to invest $4 million in our community language schools over the next 4 years will result in tangible change here in South Australia.”
