Want your kids to learn your mother tongue or learn another language? There’s a variety of language schools in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter and the Central Coast which facilitate kids learning and contribute to Australia’s diversity.
Some of the schools are members of Hunter Community Languages, a small, not-for profit organization based in Newcastle that supports communities in teaching their first language, or “mother tongue” to children in their community.
The organization provides assistance with applying for funding, free workshops for teachers, equipment lending including P.A. systems and a set of class iPads as well as helping to develop program resources.
Currently there are many languages from around the globe that are taught in the Newcastle region (Please note some of these schools may have changed their times and locations so check with the organisation first before showing up).
Afghan (Dari & Pashto)
Zainab Afghan Languages School
Jesmond Public School
Every Saturday during school term
Arabic
Newcastle Arabic School
Callaghan College, Wallsend NSW
Every Sunday during school term from 10am to 12pm
Email: newarabicschool@gmail.com
Arabic Privet College Australian
Glendore Public School, Maryland NSW
Every Saturday and Sunday during school term from 10am to 1pm
Bangla
Newcastle Bangladeshi Community Inc.
Jesmond Public School, Jesmond NSW
Every Sunday during school term from 10am to 12pm
Website: https://nbcinc.org.au/bangla-school
Chinese Mandarin
Hunter Community Chinese Language School
Lambton High School, Lambton NSW
Every Tuesday during school term from 3:45pm to 5:45pm
Email: Hunterchineselanguageschool@gmail.com
Filipino
Pinoy Community Cultural Class
Wadalba Community School, Waldalba NSW
Every Friday during school term from 3:30pm to 5:30pm
Henry Kendall High School, Gosford NSW
Every Saturday during school term from 2pm to 4pm
Email: pccccentralcoast@yahoo.com.au
Finnish
Operating under Sydney Finnish School, there is a Finnish school in Newcastle. They cater for all levels from 3-12 year olds and offer an online option for high schoolers. There is also an option just to participate in their events once a term and the yearly camp.
Newcastle Finnish School
Georgetown Girl Guide Hall
Lessons are run on Fridays 4:15pm to 6:15pm, 8 weeks a term
Website: Sydney Finnish School
French
Alliance Francaise de Newcastle offer French classes for children with or without a French background, from 1.5 years old to 12 years old. There’s also classes for teenagers. Classes are held at their premises Level 1, 799-803 Hunter Street, Newcastle West as well as the following local schools.
Newcastle East Public School, The Hill
Every Thursday during school term from 2:50pm to 4:05pm
St Joseph’s Primary School, The Junction
Every Friday during school term from 2:50pm to 4:05pm
Website: https://www.afnewcastle.com.au/
German
Eine Kleine Deutsche Schule
Kotara School
Every Wednesday during school term from 4pm to 6pm
Email: einekleinedeutscheschule@gmail.com
Greek
Greek Community School of Newcastle
Hellenic Community Centre, 13 – 17 Steel Street, Hamilton NSW
Thursday from 4:15pm to 6pm
Email: hccgreekschool@gmail.com
Indonesian
Indonesian School of Newcastle
Hamilton Public School, Hamilton NSW
Every Thursday during school term from 4:15pm to 6:15pm
Italian
Co.As.It. After Hours Program
New Lambton South Public School, New Lambton NSW
Every Monday during school term from 3.50pm to 5.50pm
Japanese
Hunter Japanese Community School
New Lambton South Public School, New Lambton NSW
Saturday during school term 1 & 4 from 10am to 1pm
Saturday during school term 2 & 3 from 2pm to 4pm
Email: contacthjcs@gmail.com
Central Coast Japanese Community School
Valley View Public School, Wyoming NSW
Saturday during school from 10am to 12pm
Email: ccjcls@gmail.com
Korean
Newcastle Korean Language School
Lambton Public School, Lambton NSW
Saturday during school term from 10am to 12pm
Nepali
Sabdamala – Nepalese Language School
Plattsburg Public School, Wallsend
Sunday during school term from 10am to 12pm
Polish
Parents and Friends Committee of Polish Association in Newcastle
Newcastle Polish Centre, Chatham Street, Broadmeadow NSW
Saturday during term time from 9am to 11am
Email: polishnewcastle1@gmail.com
Niagara Park Public, Gosford
Wednesday during term time from 3:45pm to 5:45pm
Portugese
Aquarela Portuguese Language School
The Place Community Centre Charlestown
Monday 4.40pm – 5.30pm for 3 to 5 year olds
Aquarela Portuguese Language School
Henry Park Community Hall
275 Beaumont St, Thomas St, Hamilton South
Thursday 4.15pm – 6.15pm for 6 to 12 year olds
Email: aquarelanewcastle@gmail.com
Russian
Newcastle Russian School
Northern Settlement Services, 8 Chaucer Street, Hamilton NSW
Saturday from 2:15pm to 4:45pm
Email: RussianSchoolNewcastle@outlook.com
Sinhalese
Newcastle Sinhala School
Mayfield West Demonstration School, Mayfield West NSW
Sunday during school term from 10am to 1:30pm
Email: newcastlesinhalaschool@gmail.com
Website: http://thescf.org.au
Spanish
Hablamos Español
V Building (Education Building), University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus.
Saturday from 10:30am to 12:30pm
Website: https://wespeakspanish.com.au
Swahili
Newcastle Kiswahili School
Wallsend Public School, Wallsend
Saturday during school term from 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Email: Wananchi.Newcastle@gmail.com
Swedish
Swedish School of Newcastle
Newcastle High School, Hamilton South NSW
Monday during school term from 4pm to 6pm
Email: svenskaskolan.newcastle@gmail.com
Tamil
Aram Tamil School
Cardiff North Public School, Cardiff NSW
Saturdays during school term from 2-5:30pm
Students from Kindergarten to Year 12
Website: https://aram.nsw.edu.au
Email: admin@aram.nsw.edu.au
Phone: 0490 786 831
Newcastle Tamil Sangam
Garden Suburb Public School
Sundays during school term from 10am to 12pm
Email: nctamilsangam@gmail.com
Telugu
Hunter Telugu Badi
Maitland High School, Maitland NSW
Saturday during term time 10am-12pm
Tibetan
Tibetan Community of Newcastle School
Islington Public School, Islington NSW
Saturday during school term from 2:30pm to 5pm
Email: tibetancn@hotmail.com
Ukrainian
Nova Ukrainian School Inc
Ukrainian Community Hall, 105 Gosford Road, Adamstown NSW
Sunday during school term from 2:30pm to 5pm
For information on these schools or how to start your own community language school, visit the Hunter Community Languages website or email hptacls@gmail.com.
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