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Multicultural Education Aides (MEAs)

Each year, funding of approximately $9 million is provided to around 460 Government schools for the employment of multicultural education aides (MEAs). English as a second language (ESL) index funding is provided for the approximately 7 per cent of all students in schools who meet ESL eligibility criteria. Where a school reaches the ESL funding threshold, this funding is inclusive of MEA and ESL teacher funding.

Multicultural education aides (MEAs) provide an invaluable service to schools, ESL students and school communities. MEAs are able to assist with:

  • effective communication between students and teachers in the classroom
  • integrating ESL learners into school activities by helping them to understand school expectations and goals
  • assisting teachers to understand the home cultures and the expectations families have of the school and of education in general
  • assisting newly arrived families in their settlement into the new educational community.

2011 Multicultural Education Aide Conference

Monday 25 July 2011

MEA 2011 conference attendees

The Multicultural Education Aide Conference was held on 25 July at the Bayview Eden Melbourne Hotel, featuring workshops on a range of topics including classroom practice, ICT and self development.

143 MEAs, 31 presenters, and 11 Department staff attended.

From the evaluation forms, positive feedback praised the organization, food and venue. The sessions were divided into themes of

  1. Self Development and Welfare
  2. Classroom Practice
  3. ICT

All sessions, particularly practical sessions and  hands-on sessions, were extremely well received.

The most frequently praised sessions were:

  1. Cultural Awareness from Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship
  2. Practical games and activities for developing ESL students’ math s skills and concepts from the Catholic Education Office.

Sessions from partnership organisations including Foundation House, Centre for Multicultural Youth, MindMatters and arts2GO were also rated highly.

Regional sessions facilitated by regional ESL Program Officers were noted for the sharing and quality discussion.

The schools who received flip cameras for use in their ESL program are:

  1. Wellington Secondary College
  2. Liddiard Road Primary School (Traralgon)
  3. Spring Parks Primary School
  4. Shepparton English Language School
  5. Roxburgh Park Primary School

The MEA handbook

MEA handbook front cover

For further information about the employment and roles of MEAs, see The MEA handbook (PDF - 297Kb).

This handbook will help school communities ensure that the best use is made of the skills and expertise of MEAs. It:

  • outlines the role of the multicultural education aide and provides guidelines for aides and school administrators.
  • advice on implementing effective MEA support for a school’s ESL student cohort
  • provides information for MEAs about education in Victorian government schools
  • provides links and resources, including links to professional development for MEAs.
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