- $1.1 million program to support the development of after-hours, community-based language education
- Grants now available for new and established community language schools
- Redeveloped Community Languages Program to provide social and economic benefits
Grants for new and established community language schools are now available as part of the State Government's $1.1 million redeveloped Community Languages Program (CLP).
The program provides grant funding to not-for-profit community organisations to teach languages other than English and cultural maintenance programs after school hours.
Under the redeveloped program there are three grant categories available for the 2016 school year: These are:
- Establishment grants - one-off grants to support new schools that have been in operation for less than 12 months
- Program development grants - available to all community language schools for one-off projects such as improvements to school curriculum and education material and resources
- Per capita grants (opening in March 2016) - providing annual funding per student and available to schools that have been operating for more than 12 months and/or meet grant eligibility criteria.
Launching the program to more than 100 representatives from local community language schools, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Mike Nahan said the redeveloped program would be relevant and responsive to the current and future needs of the multicultural community.
"The development process involved significant consultation with community groups, community language schools and stakeholders both in WA and the Eastern States," Dr Nahan said.
"The program will now enter an 18-month pilot phase and the framework will be tested to ensure it is meeting community needs. Language learning is crucial for the cultural and global advantage it provides.
"It is for these reasons the Government is committed to ensuring that the program delivers the greatest possible social and economic benefits to the community."
This is the first time the program has been redeveloped in its 30-year history.
Fact File
- About 3,500 students, from Kindergarten to Year 12, participate in community language schools in WA each year
- More than 500 people have already participated in the CLP professional learning program, which was launched in May 2015
- To join the mailing list and receive updates regarding professional development opportunities, email name, contact details and community language school you are associated with to communitylanguages@omi.wa.gov.au
- Applications for the establishment grants and program development grants close 4pm October 19
Minister's office - 6552 5700
