Community Languages Schools (CLS)

About the schools

These schools were previously known as after-hours ethnic schools. They are run by incorporated community-based, not-for-profit organisations. Classes are offered after school or on the weekends. Students (up to year 12) can study the languages spoken at home and within their communities at a Community Languages School.

In Community Languages Schools across Victoria:

• Up to 50 different languages are taught
• Around 34,000 students are enrolled annually

Teaching resources

There are a range of organisations and online sources that help teachers by providing resources and facilities.

Ethnic Schools' Association of Victoria (ESAV)

The ESAV (http://www.esav.org.au) represents over 200 Community Languages Schools in Victoria. They give teachers access to:

• Photocopying and book binding facilities
• Meeting and conference facilities
• Professional development activities.

For more information, contact:

Mr Fahry Abubaker, Administrative Officer, ESAV
Telephone: (03) 9349 2400
Email: abubaker.fahry.f@edumail.vic.gov.au

Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre (LMERC)

The LMERC is a specialist resource centre for schools in the following areas:

• Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
• English as a second language (ESL)
• Koorie and Aboriginal studies
• Multicultural, antiracism, and human rights education
• Civics and citizenship
• Studies of Asia

Teachers from all school systems may borrow a wide range of resources at no cost including print, audio, video, CD-Rom, and poster materials.

For more information, contact:

Telephone: (03) 9349 1418
Email: lmerc.library@edumail.vic.gov.au
Website: Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre (LMERC)

Languages Online

Languages Online (http://www.education.vic.gov.au/languagesonline) is a free resource for languages teachers and students.

The website includes:

• Downloadable templates (‘Game Makers’) to create your own multimedia games and activities in any language
• Ready-to-play activities in French, German, Indonesian and Italian

Training and development

Credit-bearing courses for teachers

Community Languages Schools teachers who do not have language teaching qualifications recognised in Victoria may apply for 30-hour credit-bearing tertiary courses in language teaching methodology.

These courses are:

• Conducted by a range of Victorian universities
• Free for eligible teachers
• Organised by the Ethnic Schools' Association of Victoria through a funding agreement with the DEECD

Professional development activities for teachers

The Ethnic Schools’ Association of Victoria, in partnership with the DEECD, provides a number of professional development activities for administrators and Community Languages Schools teachers on a number of issues throughout the year.

For more information, contact:

Mr Fahry Abubaker, Administrative Officer, ESAV
Telephone: (03) 9349 2400
Email: abubaker.fahry.f@edumail.vic.gov.au

Website: ESAV (http://www.esav.org.au)

Accreditation procedures

The following document must be submitted to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) by Community Languages Schools seeking accreditation for funding purposes: Accreditation requirements (PDF - 39Kb)

Funding and grants

The following grants are available to Community Languages Schools for:

• Meeting operational costs
• Developing new teaching materials
• Funding the professional development of teachers

Per capita grants program

Accredited Community Languages Schools can submit applications for annual per capita grants. Grants are based on $120 for each eligible student enrolled and regularly attending the Community Languages School as at 31 March of that year.

The latest funding guidelines and school application forms are issued to all accredited schools at the beginning of each school year. Download the funding guidelines below for information on:

• Funding eligibility for schools
• Details of insurance cover for Community Languages Schools
• Levels and payments of grants
• Closing dates for applications

Per capita funding guidelines and checklist (PDF - 70Kb) – Outlines the terms and conditions of the grant, including eligibility, payment and submitting an application.

Per capita application form (Word - 126Kb) – Use this form to apply for the per capita grants.

Student enrolment form (Word - 82Kb) – A form for parents to enrol their child in a Community Languages School and for CLS Authorities to apply for the per capita grant. 

Professional development grants

Community Languages Schools can annually apply through the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) Community Grants Program (http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au) for funds to conduct school-based professional development workshops on relevant language teaching topics. Applications from groups of schools teaching the same language are encouraged.

Materials development grants

The Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Community Grants Program (http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au) accepts applications from Community Languages Schools for grants of up to $20,000. These grants support the development of new teaching resources when materials for a particular language aren’t readily available.

Proposals must be made with either a university partner or another education institution which has demonstrated expertise in the teaching of languages.

Seeding grants for new Community Languages Schools

New Community Languages Schools which don’t receive per capita funding from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development can apply through the Victorian Multicultural Commission for small seeding grants under the Community Grants Program. These grants are for meeting operational costs in the school's first year. See: Multicultural Commission - Grants (http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au).

Grants for small non-accredited Community Languages Schools

Non-accredited Community Languages Schools with less than 30 students can apply to the Victorian Multicultural Commission for small grants under the Community Grants Program. These grants help toward operational costs. See: Multicultural Commission - Grants (http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au).

Finding a school

The Community Languages Schools and locations (PDF - 85Kb) lists Community Languages Schools in Victoria and includes:

• Class times
• Campus locations
• Languages taught
• Contact information

Useful links

Languages Other than English domain - Information on the provision of languages other than English (LOTE) in Victoria.

Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) (http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au) -  The Victorian Multicultural Commission promotes participation and access for Victoria's ethnic groups in the social, economic, cultural and political life of the Victorian community. The website provides information on grant programs, guidelines, application forms and the current funding rounds.

Ethnic Schools' Association of Victoria (ESVA) (http://www.esav.org.au) - The ESVA represents over 200 Community Languages Schools in Victoria Community Languages Schools. The website provides information on curriculum support, training courses and the Language & Multicultural Education Resource Centre.

Australian Federation of Ethnic Schools Associations Community Languages Australia (Australian Federation of Ethnic Schools Associations) (http://www.communitylanguagesaustralia.org.au) - The Australian Federation of Ethnic Schools Associations is an umbrella body designed to unite the ethnic schools of Australia. The website provides information on national training, professional development, curriculum support and a national calendar of events.

Further information

If you have queries about Community Languages Schools, please contact:

Kypros Kyprianou
Senior Project Officer, Community Languages Schools
Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre
150 Palmerston Street
CARLTON 3053

Telephone: (03) 9349 2861
Fax: (03) 9349 1295
Email: kyprianou.kypros.k@edumail.vic.gov.au