Community Languages Australia

10/10/2025

🌏 The National Snapshot of Community Language Schools is now live!

This landmark national survey shines a light on the incredible work of community language schools across Australia — capturing strengths, identifying challenges, and helping shape future priorities for our sector.

We’ll be exploring what matters most to schools:
📘 Curriculum and teaching approaches
🧑‍🏫 Teacher training and professional learning
💻 Digital innovation
🤝 Inclusion and student wellbeing
🌟 Leadership and community engagement

💬 It takes just 10–15 minutes to complete, and every response strengthens our collective voice for advocacy, recognition, and future support.

📍 Take the survey now: https://nationalcls.scoreapp.com

This initiative is led by Community Languages Australia in partnership with its eight state and territory member associations.

Together, we’re building a stronger, more visible, and better supported community language education sector for all.

This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs under the Multicultural Peak Body Project Funding Program (2025–2029).

08/10/2025

Over 220 educators and school leaders gathered in Melbourne on Sunday 5 October 2025 at RMIT Storey Hall for the 2025 CLV Community Language Schools Conference, hosted by Community Languages Victoria under the theme “The Future of Community Languages: Purpose, Pedagogy & People.”

A day of professional learning, cultural celebration, and collective commitment to multilingual education in Australia. 🇦🇺

🗞️ Read the full media release here:
https://bit.ly/2025mediarelease

23/04/2025

Media Release: Celebrating Multilingual Education at the 2025 National Conference

More than 160 educators, school leaders and community advocates gathered in Brisbane for the 2025 Community Language Schools National Conference, under the powerful theme: “Building Bridges Through Languages.”

This year’s event highlighted the vital role community language schools play in:
• Preserving cultural identity
• Embracing multilingualism as a 21st-century skill
• Strengthening diverse communities across Australia

From powerful keynote addresses by Prof. Joseph Lo Bianco and Dr Maria Gindidis, to hands-on workshops and a heartfelt tribute to the late Stefan Romaniw OAM, the day was a resounding success.

Thank you to all presenters, attendees, and organisers who made this possible. Together, we’re shaping a stronger, multilingual future for Australia.

Read the full Media Release here.

17/04/2025

📸 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘆! 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗖𝗟𝗔 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 – 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗲

More than 160 educators, leaders, and community advocates came together in Brisbane for the 2025 National Community Language Schools Conference, and the energy was nothing short of electric!

From visionary keynotes and hands-on workshops to heartfelt performances and powerful conversations, the theme "Building Bridges Through Languages" came alive in every moment.

💬 Dr Fuxin LI, President of ACTCLSA, captured it perfectly:

“Once again, congratulations on another successful and wonderful conference in Brisbane—one of the best since my first joining the CLA Conference in 2005.”

A huge thank you to every speaker, volunteer, performer, and participant who made the day unforgettable.

📰 Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing more photos, videos, and conference materials in the coming days!

06/04/2025

🎉 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 & 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲! 🎉

The wait is over! The detailed abstracts and biographies for all workshops and keynote speakers at the CLA National Conference 2025 – "Building Bridges Through Languages" are now online!

📚 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗸:

- Discover what each inspiring session has in store.
- Learn more about our incredible keynote speakers and experienced workshop presenters.
- Plan your day in advance to make the most of your conference experience!

👉 View Abstracts & Bios Here: https://bit.ly/44cwoqQ

⏰ 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁: 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻!
Reserve your spot now if you haven't already:
🔗 https://bit.ly/2025-NATIONALCONFERENCE

We can't wait to welcome you on Saturday, 12 April 2025 at TAFE Queensland, South Bank!

2025 Community Language Schools’ National Conference Building Bridges Through Languages Conference Program Schedule (Saturday, 12 April 2025) 8.30 am - 9.30 am REGISTRATIONS & MORNING TEA 9.30 am - 10.30 am NATIONAL ANTHEM & OPENING CEREMONIES (Auditori...

05/04/2025

✨ 𝗖𝗟𝗔 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 – 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁! ✨

📚 Reforming Languages Education in Australia: Examples from Persian Community Language Learning in Sydney

🎤 Presented by:

Dr Mojgan Mokhatebi Ardakani
Roya Nouraei
Hajar Torkaman

Explore the inspiring journey of Persian language education in Sydney, and discover how passionate educators are reshaping the landscape for Persian learners in Australia.

🌟 In this session you'll learn:

How Persian language programs have developed across community and mainstream schools in Sydney.

Practical steps for creating robust language programs aligned with NSW syllabi (K-10 and Stage 6 Persian Continuers).

How collaboration among community language schools and mainstream education providers supports language program sustainability and growth.

📖 About our presenters:

𝗗𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗷𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗸𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗯𝗶 𝗔𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗶 is pioneering Persian language education by introducing Persian as a Stage 6 subject in a mainstream Sydney school for the very first time.

𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮 𝗡𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗶, a veteran educator with over 30 years’ experience, specialises in Persian language and cultural education, currently a Key Teacher at SICLE.

𝗛𝗮𝗷𝗮𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻 combines her passion for language with her science background, dedicated to fostering Persian heritage connections for future generations.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear their unique insights and practical experiences!

📅 12 April 2025 | TAFE Queensland, South Bank

✅ Reserve your ticket today!

𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘:
👉https://bit.ly/2025-NATIONALCONFERENCE

04/04/2025

🎉 𝗖𝗟𝗔 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 🎉

📌 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵
🎤 Presented by 𝗞𝗵𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗻 (𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗻) 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻

Have you ever felt like Alice in Wonderland—uncertain of your school's next steps or future direction?

Join Khuyen (Quin) Tran in a dynamic and reflective workshop inspired by Alice’s iconic encounter with the Cheshire Cat. Discover how one community language school in South Australia turned uncertainty into a clear, strategic roadmap, resulting in an impressive 42% enrolment growth over five years.

🌟 In this engaging session, you’ll learn how to:

- Clarify your school's vision and objectives.
- Develop informed strategic directions.
- Balance long-term planning with day-to-day actions.
- Navigate uncertainty with confidence and purpose.
- Walk away inspired, equipped, and ready to strategically lead your community language school to success!

📅 12 April 2025 | TAFE Queensland, South Bank

⏰ 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿! 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻!
👉 https://bit.ly/2025-NATIONALCONFERENCE

31/03/2025

🌟 𝗞𝗘𝗬𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 | 𝗖𝗟𝗔 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 🌟

We are thrilled to announce two outstanding keynote speakers who will lead powerful conversations at the CLA National Conference 2025 – "Building Bridges Through Languages".

🎤 Keynote: Associate Professor Maria Gindidis

Topic: Transforming Community Languages Education: A Vision for the Future

Assoc. Prof. Maria Gindidis (Monash University) will present an inspiring vision for the future of Community Languages Schools (CLS). With her extensive expertise in bilingual education and innovative curriculum design, Maria will share how CLS can not just survive, but flourish in our rapidly evolving world.

🔑 Key Highlights:

Strategies to revitalise CLS through innovation and dynamic teaching methods.

Leveraging technology and community partnerships for sustainable growth.

Real-life examples of successful, transformative practices that foster deeper cultural engagement and language learning.

These keynote sessions promise fresh ideas, bold visions, and practical insights. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a meaningful national conversation on the future of language education!

📅 Saturday, 12 April 2025
📍 TAFE Queensland, South Bank
🎟️ Secure your place today! Seats are limited:
👉 https://bit.ly/2025-NATIONALCONFERENCE

29/03/2025

🌟 𝗞𝗘𝗬𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 | 𝗖𝗟𝗔 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 🌟

We are thrilled to announce two outstanding keynote speakers who will lead powerful conversations at the CLA National Conference 2025 – "Building Bridges Through Languages".

The FIRST keynote will be delivered by 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗵 (𝗝𝗼𝗲) 𝗟𝗼 𝗕𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗼

🎤 𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘈𝘐 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘝𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘔𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝟤𝟣𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘺

Professor Joe Lo Bianco, internationally renowned language policy expert, will kickstart our conference with an inspiring exploration of multilingualism as essential literacy for the modern world. Drawing from his extensive research and global advocacy, Joe will highlight why multilingual education is crucial—not only as a matter of human rights but also as an effective means to bridge cultural divides and build stronger, inclusive societies.

🔑 Key Highlights:

The global shift towards ‘mother tongue’ education and why it matters.

How "Open Education" can effectively support multilingual communities.

The importance of recognising language rights and their role in shaping equitable education systems.

Stay tuned as we announce our SECOND keynote speaker later today!

These keynote sessions promise fresh ideas, bold visions, and practical insights. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a meaningful national conversation on the future of language education!

📅 Saturday, 12 April 2025
📍 TAFE Queensland, South Bank
🎟️ Secure your place today! Seats are limited:
👉 https://bit.ly/2025-NATIONALCONFERENCE

27/03/2025

🌊 CLA National Conference 2025 Workshop Spotlight! 🌊

📌 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
🎤 Presented by 𝗗𝗿 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘆𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗸𝗼 & 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗼𝘃𝗮

Meet our experienced presenters:

𝗗𝗿 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘆𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗸𝗼: An accredited educator with over 20 years of experience teaching English and Russian. Elena holds a PhD in Cultural Studies and leads the Sunshine Coast Russian School, championing bilingual education and linguistic diversity.

𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗼𝘃𝗮: A seasoned language teacher and founder of the Russian community language school on the Gold Coast, Anna brings nearly 20 years of teaching experience and deep insights into managing thriving community language programs.

🌟 What you'll gain from this session:

- Strategies for effectively running a school in geographically dispersed coastal communities.
- Insight into setting clear priorities as a school leader and educator.
- Practical methods to connect, unite, and make your school community thrive!

📅 April 12, 2025 | TAFE Queensland, South Bank

✅ Spots are filling fast! Reserve your place today:
👉 https://bit.ly/2025-NATIONALCONFERENCE

26/03/2025

✨ 𝗖𝗟𝗔 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁! ✨

📚 𝘙𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢
🎤 Presented by 𝗗𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗶

Meet Dr Lilian Fleuri, linguist, educator, and the passionate founder of Raízes Brasileiras, a community school dedicated to supporting multilingual families. As both a researcher in heritage language acquisition and a mother raising trilingual children, Dr Fleuri brings a wealth of professional expertise and personal insight.

In this engaging workshop, you'll explore:

🌱 Practical strategies to successfully raise multilingual children in Australia.

🌱Common challenges faced by multilingual families and how to overcome them.

🌱Insights from Dr Fleuri's own journey and her research contributions, including her role in the book Portuguese as a Non-Native Language: Contexts, Status, and Teaching Practices.

Equip yourself with the knowledge to nurture multilingual skills and cultural identity in your own home or school community!

📅 April 12, 2025 | TAFE Queensland, South Bank

⏰ Reserve your spot now! Seats are limited:
👉 https://bit.ly/2025-NATIONALCONFERENCE