Community-run language classes in NSW will receive more than $5 million in funding for 2021 through the NSW Government’s Community Languages Schools Program.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the funding will assist communities teach languages to children and young people from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Photo – Acknowledging community language volunteer teachers in an event orgaised by the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools (NSWFCLS)
“Languages connect people with their heritage and strengthen communities,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Community Languages Schools across the State did an extraordinary job of transitioning to online learning during the period of learning from home, and I’m delighted that classes have been able to resume face to face during Term 4.”
“Learning a second language assists cognitive development in higher order thinking skills, which helps to develop a strong foundation for our children’s schooling,” Ms Mitchell said.
Community Languages Schools have been running classes in NSW since the mid-1980s and are more popular than ever, with student enrolment increasing by 17 per cent over the last five years.
Acting Minister for Multiculturalism Geoff Lee said Community Languages Schools play an important role in helping young people to maintain strong links to their heritage and cultural identities.
“The diversity of our communities is one of NSW’s greatest treasures, and this is one way the NSW Government can help in fostering and celebrating that diversity,” Mr Lee said.
“The NSW Government is proud to support our communities’ language schools and the volunteers that assist in educating our children.”
Classes enable school students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to maintain their heritage language, and allow students to learn an additional language.