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Perth

Where your language matters

Welcome to

Multilingual Australia

We acknowledge the Wadjuk people of the Noongar Nation as traditional owners of the land, on which our programs are delivered in Boorloo, Perth. We recognise their strength and resilience and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

OUR LANGUAGES

429

Languages Spoken in Australia

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183

Australian Indigenous Languages

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16000

People Use AUSLAN
at Home

Multilingual Australia Annual Report 2022/23:
A Year of Growth and Change

We are delighted to present the Multilingual Australia Annual Report for 2022/23. This year has been transformative, marked by significant milestones and robust efforts towards promoting multilingualism across Australia.

Our report not only showcases our achievements but also lays out the roadmap for our future endeavours. It reflects our unwavering commitment to advocating for language-friendly communities and supporting linguistic diversity.

Explore the full report to learn more about our journey, challenges, and the exciting prospects ahead. Join us as we continue to weave the rich tapestry of languages and cultures that make Australia vibrant and diverse.
 

"‘Language is closely connected to culture and identity’"

Upcoming Events

  • Roundtable Discussion: Bilingual Challenges for Youth, Families, and Educators
    Roundtable Discussion: Bilingual Challenges for Youth, Families, and Educators
    Sat, 04 May
    West Leederville
    04 May 2024, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    West Leederville, level 1/49 Oxford Cl, West Leederville WA 6007, Australia
    04 May 2024, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    West Leederville, level 1/49 Oxford Cl, West Leederville WA 6007, Australia
  • Raising children in more than one language
    Raising children in more than one language
    Multiple Dates
    Sat, 22 June
    Girrawheen
    22 June 2024, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Girrawheen, 11 Patrick Ct, Girrawheen WA 6064, Australia
    22 June 2024, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Girrawheen, 11 Patrick Ct, Girrawheen WA 6064, Australia
  • Words Across Generations: Celebrating Grandparents in Multilingual Families
    Words Across Generations: Celebrating Grandparents in Multilingual Families
    Fri, 17 Nov
    Mount Lawley
    17 Nov 2023, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
    Mount Lawley, 734 Beaufort St, Mount Lawley WA 6050, Australia
    17 Nov 2023, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
    Mount Lawley, 734 Beaufort St, Mount Lawley WA 6050, Australia
    oin us for a special morning tea celebration designed just for grandparents. Riding on the success of last year's WA Seniors Week event and guided by community insights, Multilingual Australia is thrilled to host "Words Across Generations." In partnership with the Hungarian Library in Perth.
  • Shape Australia's Multilingual Future: Advisory Roles Open House
    Shape Australia's Multilingual Future: Advisory Roles Open House
    Tue, 14 Nov
    Bentley
    14 Nov 2023, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
    Bentley, 1-3 Hill View Pl, Bentley WA 6102, Australia
    14 Nov 2023, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
    Bentley, 1-3 Hill View Pl, Bentley WA 6102, Australia
    Are you passionate about language diversity and cultural inclusion? Do you want to take that commitment to the next level? If so, this is your moment! Multilingual Australia is hosting an exclusive Open House event, and we want you there to help shape Australia’s multilingual future.
  • Teen Voices in Multilingual Homes: Stories and Strategies
    Teen Voices in Multilingual Homes: Stories and Strategies
    Sat, 28 Oct
    https://www.trybooking.com/CMILQ
    28 Oct 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    https://www.trybooking.com/CMILQ
    28 Oct 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    https://www.trybooking.com/CMILQ
    Are you a teenager living in a multilingual home? Or maybe you're a parent wondering how best to navigate the linguistic journey with your teen? This workshop is designed just for you!
  • Diverse Voices: Championing Multilingual and Multicultural Library Activities
    Diverse Voices: Championing Multilingual and Multicultural Library Activities
    Mon, 23 Oct
    https://www.trybooking.com/CMIMG
    23 Oct 2023, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
    https://www.trybooking.com/CMIMG
    23 Oct 2023, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
    https://www.trybooking.com/CMIMG
    Together with Institute 361, Multilingual Australia is holding a webinar to highlight the role of local libraries in Western Australia in nurturing multilingual and multicultural activities
  • Multilingual Australia's Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023
    Multilingual Australia's Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023
    Tue, 17 Oct
    https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86530708538
    17 Oct 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:20 pm
    https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86530708538
    17 Oct 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:20 pm
    https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86530708538
    Join us online for Multilingual Australia's 2023 AGM - a crucial annual event where we come together to celebrate our achievements, share our plans for the future, and foster a language-friendly Australia.
  • Raising children in more than one language  - August
    Raising children in more than one language  - August
    Mon, 21 Aug
    Webinar
    21 Aug 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm AWST
    Webinar
    21 Aug 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm AWST
    Webinar
  • German Lantern Walk - Laternenumzug
    German Lantern Walk - Laternenumzug
    Sat, 19 Aug
    West Perth
    19 Aug 2023, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    West Perth, 50 May Dr, West Perth WA 6005, Australia
    19 Aug 2023, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    West Perth, 50 May Dr, West Perth WA 6005, Australia
    The Goethe Society WA and Multilingual Australia have joined hands 🤝 to revive the traditional German Lantern Walk or as it's traditionally called 'Laternenumzug'. 🏮🌙
  • Nurturing Multilingual Roots: A Conversation with Yoshito
    Nurturing Multilingual Roots: A Conversation with Yoshito
    Sun, 23 July
    Webinar
    23 July 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
    Webinar
    23 July 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
    Webinar
  • Raising children in more than one language  - July
    Raising children in more than one language  - July
    Sat, 22 July
    Webinar
    22 July 2023, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm AWST
    Webinar
    22 July 2023, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm AWST
    Webinar
  • Voices from the Countryside: Multilingualism in Rural Australia
    Voices from the Countryside: Multilingualism in Rural Australia
    Sat, 03 June
    Zoom
    03 June 2023, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
    Zoom
    03 June 2023, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
    Zoom
  • Raising children in more than one language
    Raising children in more than one language
    Thu, 27 Apr
    Webinar
    27 Apr 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm AWST
    Webinar
    27 Apr 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm AWST
    Webinar
  • The Future is Multilingual: A Guide for Community Advocates
    The Future is Multilingual: A Guide for Community Advocates
    Mon, 03 Apr
    https://www.trybooking.com/CFQWC
    03 Apr 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
    https://www.trybooking.com/CFQWC
    03 Apr 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
    https://www.trybooking.com/CFQWC
    workshop for community leaders interested in promoting language diversity in their community.
  • The Launching of Multilingual Australia
    The Launching of Multilingual Australia
    Mon, 27 Mar
    Billabong room - Stirling Leisure Centre
    27 Mar 2023, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
    Billabong room - Stirling Leisure Centre, 38 Ashbury Cres, Mirrabooka WA 6061, Australia
    27 Mar 2023, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
    Billabong room - Stirling Leisure Centre, 38 Ashbury Cres, Mirrabooka WA 6061, Australia
  • Harmony Week - Celebrating Families and Sharing Stories Together Webinar
    Harmony Week - Celebrating Families and Sharing Stories Together Webinar
    Fri, 24 Mar
    Webinar
    24 Mar 2023, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
    Webinar
    24 Mar 2023, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
    Webinar
    Join Meerilinga Parenting Service, Multilingual Australia and the State Library of Western Australia for a webinar sharing information on Harmony Week
  • Raising children in more than one language
    Raising children in more than one language
    Mon, 20 Mar
    Webinar
    20 Mar 2023, 7:00 pm AWST – 21 Mar 2023, 7:00 pm AWST
    Webinar
    20 Mar 2023, 7:00 pm AWST – 21 Mar 2023, 7:00 pm AWST
    Webinar
  • Preparing for raising a bilingual child
    Preparing for raising a bilingual child
    Sat, 11 Mar
    https://www.trybooking.com/CFQVJ
    11 Mar 2023, 10:00 am – 12 Mar 2023, 11:30 am
    https://www.trybooking.com/CFQVJ
    11 Mar 2023, 10:00 am – 12 Mar 2023, 11:30 am
    https://www.trybooking.com/CFQVJ
    workshop for expecting parents to prepare for the challenges and benefits of raising a bilingual child.

About us

Multilingual Australia, previously known as Bilingual Families Perth, is a not-for-profit organisation that has been supporting families from diverse linguistic backgrounds since 2002. Our mission is to identify and address the needs of children, parents, and grandparents of non-English speaking backgrounds in relation to the maintenance and usage of languages other than English at home.

We believe that multilingualism is a valuable asset for individuals and society as a whole, and we strive to promote its benefits.

Our focus is on encouraging families to confidently use a language other than English for communication within the family. Our organisation helps families to overcome the barriers that may prevent them from using their native languages at home, such as a lack of confidence or resources.

While our initial focus was on families with very young children, we now welcome children and family members of all ages. Additionally, we also advocate for multilingualism in the broader community, raising awareness about the benefits of multilingualism and the importance of linguistic diversity.

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