If you want your kids to learn your mother tongue, or just pick up a new language alongside English, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter have one of the richest networks of community language schools in regional NSW. These are volunteer run, weekend or after school programs where kids learn to read, write and speak a language while staying connected to their culture.
Most of these schools are supported by Hunter Community Languages (HCLS), a not for profit based at the Joy Cummings Centre in Newcastle. HCLS helps schools apply for NSW Government funding, run teacher training, and access shared resources like PA systems and iPads.
A quick note before you scroll through the list. Community language schools are run by volunteers and their class times, terms and venues can shift from year to year. Rather than list specific days and times that go out of date fast, we’ve linked to each school’s website, Facebook page or the HCLS directory so you can confirm current details and enrol directly.
Afghan languages
Zainab Afghan Languages School teaches Dari to Newcastle families and is a current HCLS member school. Check HCLS’s school directory for current contact details.
Afghan Cultural Association of Newcastle runs Pashto language classes alongside cultural programs for the community. Find them on Facebook.
Newcastle Hazara Community runs language classes in Dari and Pashto for Hazara families, alongside youth and cultural programs. Visit newcastlehazara.org for details.
Arabic
Newcastle Arabic School holds classes for kids on weekends during school term. It’s a current HCLS member, so check the HCLS directory for the latest times and location.
Bangla
Newcastle Bangladeshi Community runs a Bangla language program for kids alongside cultural events. More details at nbcinc.org.au.
Chinese (Mandarin)
Hunter Chinese Language School is the main Mandarin school for families in Newcastle, and now also runs classes in the Central Coast and Sydney. It’s a current HCLS member school.
If you’re closer to the Central Coast or Sydney, HCLS also lists Gosford Chinese Language School, Feng Hua Chinese School, Hanwen Chinese Community Language School, Lotus Chinese Community Language School, Thomas Chinese Language School and West Ryde Huizhi Chinese School as member schools worth knowing about.
Farsi
New Horizons Multicultural Network runs Farsi language classes for the Newcastle community. It’s listed as a current HCLS member school, so check the HCLS directory for enrolment details.
Filipino
Pinoy Community Culture Class runs Filipino language and culture classes for kids on the Central Coast, currently based at Henry Kendall High School in Gosford.
Finnish
Newcastle Finnish School operates as one of four locations run under Sydney Finnish School, catering for kids aged 3 to 12 face to face, with an online option for teens. Contact Sydney Finnish School directly to confirm the current Newcastle timetable.
French
Alliance Française de Newcastle offers French classes for kids from 18 months through to the teenage years, both at their Newcastle West premises and in local schools. Visit afnewcastle.com.au for current class locations and times.
German
Eine Kleine Deutsche Schule teaches German to Hunter kids during school term. It’s a current HCLS member school.
Greek
Greek School, Hellenic Community Newcastle runs weekly Greek language, culture, dance and song classes for primary and high school aged kids, plus adult classes, from the Hellenic Community Centre in Hamilton. Find them on Facebook.
Greek School Central Coast was set up by a group of local parents wanting their kids to learn Greek language and culture, with small classes grouped by age. Visit greekschoolcc.org for term dates and enrolment.
Hazaragi
See Afghan languages above for Newcastle Hazara Community.
Japanese
Hunter Japanese Community School runs Japanese classes for kids in Newcastle and is a current HCLS member school. Check the HCLS directory to find the class nearest you.
Central Coast Japanese Community School offers the same for Central Coast families.
Korean
Newcastle Korean Language School runs weekend Korean classes for kids and is a current HCLS member school. Check the HCLS directory to find the class nearest you.
Maori
Te Ukaipo Maori Club Newcastle helps Maori and Pasifika whanau in Newcastle and the Hunter reconnect with culture through Kapa Haka, which is the traditional vehicle for passing on waiata (song), haka and te reo Maori to kids and families. It’s a cultural and performance group rather than a curriculum based language school, so the format is a bit different to the others on this list, but it’s a genuine and active way for local families to keep te reo alive. Details at Te Ukaipo Maori Club Newcastle.
Nepali
The Nepali language landscape in the Hunter has grown since we last updated this guide. Current HCLS member schools include Newcastle Nepali School and Hunter Nepalese Arts, Sports & Education Society, based in Maitland. Check the HCLS directory to find the class nearest you.
Pashto
See Afghan languages above.
Polish
Polish Association of Newcastle runs a Polish language school for kids alongside its cultural events and seniors programs, based at the Polish House in Broadmeadow. Visit polishassociationnewcastle.org.au or their Facebook page to enquire about current classes.
Punjabi
Gurdwara Guru Maneyo Granth Sahib in Rutherford runs weekly Gurmat and Kirtan classes for children, teaching Sikhi and Gurmukhi (the Punjabi script) alongside Sikh history and values, on Saturdays from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. It’s a faith based cultural program rather than a standalone language school, but it’s a genuine option for Hunter families wanting their kids to learn Punjabi. Visit sikhsangatnewcastle.com.au for details.
Russian
Newcastle Russian School teaches Russian to kids in Newcastle and now also runs classes on the Central Coast. It’s a current HCLS member school.
Sinhalese
Hunter Sinhala School (formerly Newcastle Sinhala School) runs Sinhalese classes for Hunter kids. It’s a current HCLS member school.
Swahili
Newcastle Kiswahili School teaches Swahili to school aged kids in Newcastle and the Central Coast. Find them on Facebook.
Swedish
Swedish School of Newcastle runs weekly Swedish classes for kids during school term. It’s a current HCLS member school.
Tamil
Newcastle has three active Tamil schools to choose from. Aram Tamil School in Cardiff caters for students from Kindergarten to Year 12, with details at aram.nsw.edu.au. Newcastle Tamil Sangam runs Sunday classes, with more information at nctsangam.org.au. Balar Malar Tamil Educational Association is a newer addition to the Hunter’s Tamil education options, with details at balarmalar.nsw.edu.au.
Telugu
Hunter Telugu Badi runs Saturday Telugu classes for kids in Maitland. It’s a current HCLS member school.
Tibetan
Tibetan Children’s School of Newcastle and Hunter Region (formerly Tibetan Community of Newcastle School) teaches Tibetan language and culture to Hunter kids. It’s a current HCLS member school.
Ukrainian
Nova Ukrainian School runs Ukrainian classes for kids at the Ukrainian Community Hall in Adamstown on Sundays. Find them on Facebook or visit novashkola.nsw.edu.au.
Other languages worth checking
A few schools from our earlier list, including Indonesian, Italian and Portuguese classes, no longer have an active online presence and may have paused or closed. If your family is looking for one of these languages, your best bet is to reach out directly to Hunter Community Languages to ask what’s currently running, since new schools start up regularly as community need grows. And if you know of a class we’ve missed, let us know and we’ll add it here.
Frequently asked questions
No. Most community language schools welcome any child who wants to learn the language, not just kids from that cultural community. It’s worth asking the individual school, since a few do prioritise mother tongue speakers.
Fees vary by school but are generally low compared to private tutoring, since most schools are run by volunteers and supported by NSW Government funding through the Community Languages Schools Program. Check if they accept Creative Kids vouchers.
This depends on the school. Some, like the Finnish and French programs, start from toddler age, while others begin at Kindergarten. Check with the school directly.
Hunter Community Languages supports new community groups to set up a school, including funding advice, teacher training and equipment loans. Get in touch through their website.
This list is based on our own research and each school’s publicly available information as of the last updated date. Since these are volunteer run community programs, we recommend contacting the school directly to confirm current class times, terms and fees.
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