Human Rights - Well Being
Revised-logo-23
Sustaining Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Language Roots: Nurturing Heritage & Strengthening Communities
We empower migrant and refugee communities to establish and manage after-hours schools where children can learn and preserve their heritage language and culture

We work with migrant and refugee communities across the vast state of NSW, assisting them in setting up and running their own Incorporated Associations. This enables them to apply for government funding to establish and manage a community language school (CLS) where they teach their heritage language and culture to children in their community. These children are often a mix of first, second, and third-generation migrants. Some speak the heritage language at home and rely on their CLS to become literate, while others do not speak the language at home and need the CLS to learn how to speak and understand it. All children benefit from the friendships they build, the pride they develop in their heritage, and the ability to communicate with grandparents who don’t speak English. These schools are run and governed by the communities themselves. We provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to understand their rights and responsibilities, teach a language class, and write a teaching program.

We are a not-for-profit organization in NSW, Australia, established in 1996 and funded by the NSW Government to employ one person who manages our association. We are governed by a diverse group of people who have migrated to Australia and set up their own CLS.

Australia is the only country in the world where the government funds community language schools. In 2024, in NSW alone, approximately 36,000 students are learning 63 languages through this program. We are very busy.

Project Launch Date: February 1, 1996
How can people help? Visit our website and make a donation
For more information: kara@hcls.org.au
Member -
63 Scott St, Newcastle, NSW Australia