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.
Our Achievement
ALAA proudly participated in—and won—the 2023 Excellence in Innovation Award.
Featured in the photo (from left to right) are: Co Founder Charles Kaluwahsa, His Excellency Dr. Elias Munshya, High Commissioner of Zambia to Australia, Co Founder Chewe Nkole, and Ms. Pauline Hollis on the far right.
Excellence in Innovation
ALAA received the Award for Excellence in Innovation in recognition of its outstanding leadership, creativity, and commitment to delivering high quality African language education. This award represents ALAA and its collaborative partners, who together form a dedicated team of professionals devoted to educating children and adults in language, skills, and culture—both locally and globally.
The Excellence in Innovation Award
Sponsored by Curtin University Australia, the Excellence in Innovation Award was presented by Professor David Mickler. The award was proudly accepted on behalf of the African Language Academy Australia by Co Founder Mr. Chewe Nkole.
Our Story as Co Founders
As Co Founders, we take pride in our genuine commitment to making the teaching and preservation of African languages a reality in homes and communities across the world. Our strong working chemistry enables us to collaborate harmoniously, stay aligned in purpose, and remain deeply committed to our shared vision.
Our Resilience and Approach
We have consistently demonstrated the ability to bounce back from challenges and continue moving forward with determination. While we are confident in our mission and delivery, we remain open to feedback and guidance from respected individuals and organisations. Their insights help us refine our approach, strengthen our mission and vision, and enhance our business model.
We are a closely bonded, founder centric team providing personalised support and engagement for our students and their families through platforms such as WhatsApp and Zoom.
Our Motivation
Our passion is fuelled by the positive impact we see in the communities we serve. The growth in enrolments across multiple African languages—including Ndebele, Shona, Swahili, Kikuyu, Bemba and Nyanja—reflects a strong desire to reconnect with culture, identity and heritage.
Our shared conviction, guiding principles and mutual respect shape our interactions and define our unique approach to delivering African language education.
Our Achievement
In 2023, the African Language Academy Australia (ALAA) proudly received the Excellence in Innovation Award. This recognition marks a significant milestone in our journey to deliver high quality African language education to learners in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.
Our Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, we aim to expand our offerings to include programs that teach African culture, music and dance, particularly to young people. We also plan to introduce short language courses for non Africans who are preparing to travel to African countries for holidays, cultural experiences or family visits.
