Russian language teacher, Irina Yakimenko has received the 2018 inaugural Outstanding Community Language Teacher award for her commitment and dedication to language and cultural learning.
Presented by the Ethnic Schools Association of WA in partnership with the Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI), the award celebrates the contribution, professionalism and achievements of teachers working in community language schools across the State.
Irina, who teaches at the Cultural Learning Centre Mosaica, was recognised for her creative approach to teaching which incorporates performance, new media and problem solving. Her commitment to instilling a lifelong love of learning in students impressed the judges.
Community language schools provide out-of-school-hours language and cultural learning and are staffed by professional, highly dedicated volunteers. There are more than 100,000 community language schools operating across Australia.
In Western Australia, the State Government supports 47 community language schools through OMI’s Community Languages Program. More than 5,000 school-aged children attend these schools across the State.
More information on OMI’s Community Language Program is available at
As noted by Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Paul Papalia:
“Community language school teachers are at the coalface of language and cultural education and work hard to inspire students.
“Often volunteers, community language teachers fulfil a vital function in helping children learn about their cultural heritage so that they can carry language and traditions into the future.
“Irina Yakimenko, winner of the 2018 Community Language Teacher of the Year, exemplifies how community language teachers harness their passion to motivate, challenge and make learning fun and easy.”
