South Australia’s unique network of community language schools will continue to grow and thrive with $4 million allocated in this week’s State Budget to support their ongoing work.
Currently, more than 6500 students are engaged at 84 language schools throughout South Australia.
The schools, which are not-for-profit and staffed by volunteers, operate mainly on weekends and provide an important link to culture, language and community.
Today, the South Australian Chinese Community Language School and its more than 600 students are celebrating a key event on the Chinese cultural calendar, the Dragon Boat Festival, with a sports and cultural day.
The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that occurs on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. It commemorates the death of revered Chinese poet, Qu Yuan (340-278 BC).
Funding for the language schools is administered through peak body Community Language Schools SA who provide training, advocacy and other services.
Community language schools are open to any school children aged 5 to 18 and based in South Australia. Students do not have to be from that cultural group to participate in community language schools.
The Malinauskas Government recognises the incredible role community language schools play in supporting children and young people from multicultural communities to remain connected to their culture.
Following its election in 2022, the Malinauskas Government established Language Learning Hubs to accommodate the schools including at Salisbury TAFE, Torrens University, Charles Campbell College, Para Hills High School, and Norwood International High School.
As put by Nadia Clancy
Community language schools play a vital role in supporting multicultural communities connect with their culture and language.
The Malinauskas Government values the huge contribution multicultural communities make to our society and the spirit of generosity they show in sharing their heritage, stories and culture.
The SA Chinese Community Language School is a great example of the work these schools do to keep communities connected and culture thriving.
As put by Cressida O’Hanlon, Member for Dunstan
This funding by the Malinauskas Government will help schools like the SA Chinese Community Language School provide invaluable cultural and educational services which strengthen communities.
The school is an important part of the local community and I thank the volunteers who go over and above to run the school and activities like today’s festival.
As put by Mark Yao, SA Chinese Community Language School
I thank the Malinauskas Government for enabling Language Learning Hubs, which give children the opportunity to experience intercultural learning in a welcoming and practical way.
These hubs help young people learn not only language, but also the stories, traditions and values that sit behind each culture.
For many families, learning language and culture helps close the gap between generations. It gives children, parents and grandparents a shared space to talk, learn and understand each other better.
It also gives young people a stronger sense of who they are and where they come from, while helping them grow with Australian values such as respect, fairness and inclusion.
