Community Language Schools

The Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) provides support to eligible not-for-profit community organisations to teach languages other than English for students from Kindergarten to Year 12 out of school hours. Community Language Schools in Western Australia can access:

development support
a free professional learning program
the Community Languages Western Australia website
the Community Languages Collection at the State Library of Western Australia
grants for new and established schools to support administration and operations.

Community Language School funding currently supports 47 community language schools teaching 33 languages to more than 5900 students.

Community Language School grants

Funding is available to support community language school administration and operations.

2020 funding round now open

The 2020 funding round is now open. Applications close at 4:00pm Monday 9 March 2020.

To apply for funding in the March 2020 round, community language schools must have achieved Stage 1 - Registration of the PIP delivered by the Australian Institute of Management Western Australia (AIMWA) or be working with an evaluator towards Registration.

Download the funding guidelines and application form:

Community Language School Grants - Funding Guidelines

Community Language School Grants - Per Capita Application Form

Community language schools that are new to the program must contact OMI to confirm their eligibility and obtain the New School Application Form.

Phone: (08) 6552 1603

Email: communitylanguages@omi.wa.gov.au

Refer to the Community Language School FAQs for general information about funding, such as eligibility requirements, what applications can be supported, and how to apply.

Final report for 2019 CLS grants

The final report template is now available for schools who received a CLS grant in 2019.

Schools must submit their final report to communitylanguages@omi.wa.gov.au by Friday 31 January 2020.

Schools must have successfully reported on their 2019 grant to qualify for any further funding in 2020.

Pathways to Improvement Program

The Pathways to Improvement Program (PIP) is a development program for community language schools. The PIP has been developed to improve and maintain quality language teaching and learning. The PIP helps administrators, teachers, parents, community members and students understand what makes a good community language school and quality language program.

To apply for funding in 2020, community language schools must achieved Stage 1 - Registration of the PIP delivered by the Australian Institute of Management Western Australia (AIMWA).

Schools that achieve the Registration stage will qualify for future CLS funding, subject to maintaining their PIP portfolio documentation. The annual application process requires schools to provide updated school information, student enrolment details, and budget. All other information is gathered through the PIP.

For further information please visit the Community Languages website.

For questions related to the PIP, email to moya.communitylanguageswa@gmail.com.

Professional Learning Program

The Professional Learning Program (PLP) is provided free of charge to all teachers and administrators of Western Australia’s community language schools.

The PLP workshops are practical and interactive and give school staff the opportunity to network with peers from the sector.

Community language schools that are not funded by OMI are also able to access the PLP.

For information on course dates and bookings visit the Community Languages website.

Community Languages WA

The Community Languages WA (CLWA) website is a destination for information, resources, networking and collaboration for community language teachers and administrators.It is an excellent resource for the sector and encourages community languages schools to contribute stories and experiences.

Community Languages Collection

The State Library of Western Australia (SLWA) houses an extensive collection of teaching materials and resources for more than 40 languages. The collection has been made available to language teachers, particularly those from the community languages sector, through the Office of Multicultural Interests.

The Community Languages Collection comprises a range of hardcopy, digital, audio and visual resources that can be used in classes or in the development of lesson plans, ensuring students are receiving the best possible language education.

The State Library of Western Australia has also developed Teacher Resources for use by community language teachers. The CLC is available at the State Library of Western Australia, Perth Cultural Centre, 25 Francis Street, Northbridge.