About
ABOUT US
We are a group of dedicated professionals passionate about teaching children and adults in the diaspora and worldwide interested in learning an African language.
In 2021, a survey was conducted among Zambians living in Australia to determine if children were speaking their mother tongues at home. Most respondents indicated that it was difficult to teach their children these languages due to time constraints and the parents’ own proficiency in the languages. The concern was that without this education, children would lose their cultural heritage and fully adopt western cultures.
To address this issue, we developed an African Language Academy to teach African languages online using Zoom conferencing software. Founded by seven Zambians living in Australia, African Language Academy Australia (ALAA) aims to preserve and promote our African languages and culture.
Today, we continue to teach our native languages and have expanded our offerings to include more languages.
In August 2022, we introduced fee-based Language sessions and successfully graduated students in Shona, Ichibemba, and Chinyanja. This success inspired us to expand our services to include additional activities such as advanced language sessions, music and dance, and sharing of proverbs by African authors.
Our Achievement
ALAA participated and won Excellence in Innovation Award 2023. In the photo are Co-Founder Charles Kaluwahsa HE Elias Munshya-H/Commissioner of Zambia to Australia & Co-Founder Chewe NKole
Award Category for Excellence in Innovation Award representing ALAA and its collaborative partners, as ALAA is a committed team of professionals devoted to educating children and adults in language, skills, and culture both locally and globally.
In the image, Apostle Kenny Phiri is proudly displaying the esteemed Excellence in Innovation Award for 2023, recognized in Perth and across Australia.
One of the sponsors Prof David Mickler & Co-Founder Chewe Nkole excited to share the awards with the community.
As Co-Founders, we proud ourselves by genuinely remain committed to ensuring that the impact of teaching African Languages become a reality in many African homes and communities.Our Co-Founders’ Chemistry help us to know each other well and work harmoniously,aligned and committed ourselves to our vision.
We have demonstrated the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep pushing forward. While we proud ourselves to be confident, we are open to feedback and advise from high profile individuals and organisations to refine our approach, mission, vision and business model. We are closely bonded Founder-Centric Team offering enhanced support, engagement with our students and their parents through WhatsApp platforms and Zoom Conferencing software.
Our motivation is driven by the impact we have seen in the communities we serve by the number of enrolments from other African Languages such as Ndebele,Shona, Swahili, Acholi and Igbo.
As stated above, our shared conviction, guiding principles and reciprocal esteem underpin our interaction and unique delivery in African Language Teaching category.
In 2023, ALAA won Excellence in Innovation Award Category. This is a milestone in our delivery of a unique Africans Language teaching for people living in Australia, New Zealand and globally.
Going forward, we plan to educate our Youth about African Culture, Music, and Dance. We also plan to have shorter language courses forother nationals intending to go to African Countries for holiday or visit in-laws.
Charles Kaluwasha
Co-Founder
Theresa D'Emden
Policy, Material Development & Cultural Engagement Specialist
