Perhaps you know someone who wants to learn Polish, Portuguese or Punjabi?

These are just a few of many languages which are taught in Western Australia in the community languages programs whose main aim is to maintain and develop the language and culture of Australian ethnic community groups. These programs, which are jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments and registered with the Department of Education and Training, are administered, managed and conducted by ethnic community groups.

Community languages programs make significant contributions to the opportunities for students to participate in language learning in Western Australia.

Refer to the list of contact addresses for more information about Tamil or Turkish or Urdu or Ukrainian or any one of the community languages taught in Western Australia. This list is current as at MArch 2003, however some contact details may change without notice.

The Ethnic Schools Association of WA. (ESAWA)

Contact details

Secretary of the Association
C/- PO Box 405
NORTH PERTH, WA 6006
Tel: (08) 9228 2220
Fax: (08) 9228 2221

Aims and objectives of the Ethnic Schools Association of WA Inc.

• To promote understanding and mutual respect among all people, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background.
• To promote activities for the development and benefit of ethnic schools.
• To facilitate and foster an interest in learning community languages.
• To promote communication and co-operation with teachers, institutions and associations concerned with the teaching of different languages and their cultures at both state and national levels.
• To stimulate and encourage the development of ethnic schools and to publicise their aims and achievements.
• To assist in matters relating to the teaching of different languages and culture.
• To liase with the appropriate education and ethnic school authorities on relevant matters on behalf of its members.

Ethnic schools in WA

The first ethnic school in Western Australia was established over seventy years ago and currently there are over forty schools run by community organisations which are operating throughout the state, the majority of them being run in the Perth metropolitan area.

The main aim of ethnic schools in Western Australia has been to maintain and develop the language and culture of the diverse numbers of ethnic communities in Australia. These schools are jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments, and funding for this State is channelled through the Western Australian Department of Education and Training. Ethnic schools are administered, managed and conducted by ethnic community groups.

Funding eligibility

To be eligible for funding from the Department of Education and Training, ethnic schools must be financial members of the Ethnic Schools Association of WA and must satisfy the following criteria:

• teach a community language (other than English) either alone or with cultural instruction;
• not to be predominantly religious or political in nature;
• operate on a part time basis;
• be open to any student regardless of ethnic background;
• be open to male and female students;
• provide a minimum instruction time of 90 minutes per week in a community language (other than English);
• be a non-profit making organisation, and
• be a member of ESAWA.

Contact us if you have other queries.