THE Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) program is celebrating a big birthday – 10 years of helping young children discover new languages through play, digital learning and cultural exploration – and it’s marking the milestone with some exciting news for primary schools.
From 2026, ELLA will expand into Foundation to Year 2 (F–2) classrooms, giving even more children the chance to dip their toes into language learning from the very start of school.
Best of all, participation will be free for schools, with registrations now open.
Since launching in 2014 and rolling out nationally in 2017, ELLA has reached more than one million children across over 5000 early learning services.
The program offers up to 13 languages aligned with the Australian Curriculum, including Japanese, Mandarin, French, Arabic, Hindi, German and Korean – all delivered in a way that feels more like playtime than a lesson.
After a decade of success in early learning settings, the move into F–2 brings with it 11 immersive, easy-to-use digital apps for each language, plus practical classroom resources teachers can use straight away.
The focus is on curiosity, confidence and intercultural understanding – and on making language learning accessible, even in schools without specialist language teachers.
The results so far speak for themselves.
More than 98 per cent of educators report high levels of engagement with the ELLA Polyglots apps, while two-thirds of families say their children spontaneously use new words and phrases at home.
Teachers also point to stronger early communication, literacy and inclusion, particularly in rural, regional and remote communities.
The apps bring languages to life through music, art, cooking, imaginative play and everyday routines children already know – helping them see languages as something to enjoy, not something to fear.
“ELLA began with a simple idea: that every child, regardless of where they live or what language their family speaks, should have the chance to see language as a bridge, not a barrier,” said Education Services Australia Early Learning Specialist Amanda Macdonald.
“A decade on, we’re proud to extend that opportunity into the early years of primary school,” Ms Macdonald said.
