Our national community
About Us
AFESA – Community Languages Australia represents all community language school state and territory federations and associations at a national level.
Community language schools, in all their diversity, are understood as crucial institutions, providing safe and inclusive community spaces for purposeful learning.
The Organisation
Community Languages Australia (short CLA), officially called AFESA – Community Languages Australia, represents all community language school state and territory federations and associations at a national level.
Historically, CLA was also known as the Australian Federation of Ethnic Schools Associations, which was changed to AFESA – Community Languages Australia in 2019.
Our Purpose
Representing all community language school state and territory associations and federations, Community Languages Australia works at a national level to advocate and promote community language schools. It also works on creating synergies and standardisation across Australian associations, federations and schools.
CLA further supports these institutions in facilitating effective quality languages education, by providing resources, professional development opportunities and guidance to new and established communities. Collecting valuable data and supporting research also enables CLA to inform policy-making and facilitate research, further future-proofing the dynamic and highly diverse community language school sector.
Our Vision
Community language schools, in all their diversity, are understood as crucial institutions, providing safe and inclusive community spaces for purposeful learning. They are an important part of Australia’s highly multicultural and multilingual society, helping individuals to develop a multifaceted sense of belonging and identity, beyond national borders.
Community language schools foster social cohesion and a robust, inclusive and strong Australian society, where different cultures and languages are cherished and supported. They form an integral part of languages education in Australia, alongside mainstream schools and other languages education providers.
Our Values
United in diversity
Inclusive
Supportive
Transparent
Research-led
The Council
Council and secretariat details from CLA’s previous website. Contact CLA for current officeholders.
Chair
Mr Enzo Sirna AM (Community Languages WA)
Deputy Chair
Mrs Irene Bayldon (Ethnic Schools Association of Queensland)
Secretary
Dr Fuxin Li (ACT Community Language Schools Association)
Treasurer
Mr Ferozkhan Ibrahim (Community Languages NT)
Members
Dr Rafiul Alam (Community Languages Queensland) Ms Lúcia Johns (NSW Federation of Community Language Schools) Mr Nathan Patrick (NSW Federation of Community Language Schools) A.Prof Maria Gindidis (Community Languages Victoria) Dr Ruilan Yuan (Community Languages Victoria) Mr K.S. Vijayalayan (Community Languages TAS) Mr Satya Seelam (Community Language Schools South Australia) Ms Zinta Ozolins (Community Language Schools South Australia)
Secretariat
Mr Fahry Abubaker (Executive Officer) Ms Heba El-Hakim (Communications Officer)
A national network, connected through language
Find the community language school association or federation in your state or territory.