Case study: The Association of Community Language Schools (ACLS)
Helping teachers build confidence in diverse, multi-level classrooms.
We partnered with the Association of Community Language Schools (ACLS) to co-design a mobile-friendly microlearning course that equips volunteer teachers with practical strategies for engaging diverse, mixed-ability classrooms.
The client
The Association of Community Language Schools (ACLS) is dedicated to preserving cultural heritage through language. Representing 52 member schools teaching 28 languages, ACLS plays a crucial role in nurturing multilingual communities throughout NSW. Their support spans governance, funding, professional development, and educational strategy – enabling communities to not just teach their languages, but celebrate them.
The challenge
ACLS recognised a gap: many of their volunteer teachers are fluent speakers but lack formal training in teaching children aged 6–14. These classrooms are diverse – learners often arrive with varying levels of ability and confidence. To build capability, ACLS needed an engaging, flexible training program that could equip teachers with essential teaching techniques – without overwhelming them.
Our approach
Together with ACLS, we developed a concise, mobile-friendly online course tailored to the realities of community language teaching. Split into six short modules of 15–20 minutes each, the course can be completed in under two hours – perfect for time-pressed educators.
The content is grounded in practical, evidence-based methods, with an emphasis on real-world classroom challenges. Modules focus on key areas like behaviour management, inclusive lesson planning, and techniques to keep learners engaged. Interactive elements, visual aids, and downloadable templates help bring the material to life and support immediate use.
We worked closely with ACLS’s subject expert to co-create the course, refining their existing content and aligning it with modern learning design principles. The end result: a program that’s clear, accessible, and built to make a difference from day one.
The outcome
The course has become a valuable resource across ACLS’s school network – giving educators tools they can apply immediately and grow with over time. Because the training is free and self-paced, more teachers can access it when and how it suits them, breaking down barriers to professional growth.
Encouraged by the feedback and uptake, ACLS asked us to develop a second course: Cultural Storytelling for Language Acquisition. This new module explores how narrative and cultural identity can enrich language teaching, helping students connect more deeply with their learning.
The partnership continues to grow. ACLS trusts us to deliver learning that empowers communities – and we’re proud to walk alongside them in that mission.