aicls - Information for Schools

Information for New Community Language

Schools of the Illawarra

DET requirements for funding of community language schools

The school must be incorporated and have an ABN (your school could be incorporated with the Assn of Illawarra Community Language Schools — this would mean less administration for you. The funds would come to our Incorporation and we would pass it all on to you. We also help a little with resources etc. (Membership of our Assn is $20 per year)
The school needs public liability insurance ( the NSW Federation of Community Languages School offers relatively cheap insurance —$220 (www.communitylanguagesnswfed.com)
Language is taught 2 hours per week, 35 weeks per year
The school uses an approved syllabus (you would need to modify a Board of Studies K—10 syllabus. These are very generic and not hard to modify)
The school has trained teachers (a Certificate in Community Language teaching is available through the program. It runs from July—December)
The school has a committee that has a president, treasurer, secretary, parent representative and teacher representative
At least one committee member should attend a Managements Principles course run by the NSW Community Languages Program

If these requirements are met the community language school

after the first three months they can apply for an establishment grant. This is a one off payment of $1000. This is for the first year only.
From the second year they can apply for a per capita payment — this is based on the number of students that attend 70% or over in the first term. At the moment this grant is $60 per student.
There is also a specific grant fund that schools can apply for to develop resources or other special language projects. This funding is limited and there is no guarantee that a school will be awarded this funding — it depends on the number of schools that apply etc.
Community Language Schools are allowed to use mainstream school premises. This has to be negotiated with the Principal as some schools are already being used by other groups.
In—service teaching training workshops are conducted on a regular basis.
The program subsidises a teacher training certificate that runs in the second half of the year for teachers that are not already qualified (the cost is approximately $280 per teacher)

In order to prepare to establish a community language, I would suggest:

the most important thing is to prepare a language teaching programme for the first year with all the related resources to go with it — this may include flashcards, posters etc. This needs to be done in advance as many teachers are busy and will not have sufficient time to do this once the school begins.
Prepare the syllabus based on the NSW Board of Studies template
Establish a school sub-committee (annual elections can be held once the school is running)
Ensure the school is incorporated and has public liability insurance prior to the school commencing
Survey the community to find the most appropriate location, day and time to hold the school
Collect any language materials that are available
Arrange the school premises (I could help you with this). The school committee will need to decide if students will have to pay for the lessons and whether teachers will be paid, and if so, how much.
The school committee should establish a social welfare policy, a classroom management policy and a professional development policy. (I can give you sample copies that are short and simple). The NSW Community Languages Program also holds policy writing courses occasionally.
Finally advertise the school starting date and maybe hold an information evening to explain to parents the reasons for the language school, the style of lessons etc.

I hope this summary helps you. If you have any questions,
please phone me, 02 4276 4774.

Regards
Sabine Hauth
Project Officer
Assn of Illawarra Community Languages Schools Inc.

Download the Government Grants Outline.